Singaporean artists Sunar Sugiyou, Rosihan Dahim, Jeffrey Wandly and Sufian Hamri, team up for the first time with Indonesian artists from the Yogyakarta-based Barrack Art – Stefan Buana, Afif AF, Ahmed Zafli, Bayu W., Harlen Kurniawan, Rully Rahim and Wira Purnama.

With this show, we hope to offer opportunities for young artists to showcase their works by placing them with experienced artists, and in the process encourage further friendships and creative collaborations.

Afif AF or Afif Abdul Fatah (b.1985) often depicts in his works the strength of the human spirit, which allows one to step out of the boundaries to attain his dreams. Afif graduated in Fine Arts at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) in Yogyakarta. He has exhibited widely in solo and group shows in Indonesia including the National Gallery of Indonesia and Jogja Gallery. This 27-year old was a finalist in the Guasch Coranty International Painting Prize 2012 in Spain. His works will be featured in the upcoming New York Biennale Art (NYBA) 2012-2013.

Ahmed Zafli (b. 1974) explores global issues in his art, which to him is a form of self-expression to convey his concerns and questions. Born in Padang, West Sumatra, Ahmed graduated from the Yogyakarta State University. He has participated in a number of group exhibitions all across Indonesia, and most recently in the Yogyakarta Art Festival XXIV “Future of Us”. A finalist in the prestigious Indonesia Art Award 2010, he will display his works at the New York Biennale Art (NYBA) 2012-2013.

Bayu W. or Bayu Whardana (b. 1982) reflects on the dynamics of life, from the individual’s uniqueness, tradition, social transformations, acculturation and self development in his art. This Padang-born artist in Fine Arts at the Sarjana Wiyata University Yogyakarta, and has participated in numerous exhibitions in Indonesia, including the “Future of Us” Yogyakarta Art Festival XXIV. In 2012, he showed his works in “Postcards From The Edge”, A Visual AIDS Benefit, in New York. Besides painting, he is active in writing and theater, having participated in a variety of poetry and theater performances.

In Harlen Kurniawan’s (b. 1980) world, which upholds universal values of honesty and determination, an artist is like a factory of ideas and so needs to create his art wholeheartedly in order for these ideas to continue to exist. Each work thus has its own spirit, character and honesty. This Bukit Tinggi-born artist graduated from the Indonesia Institute of the Arts (ISI). Harlen recently had a couple of solo exhibitions in Medan and Yogyakarta, and has participated in a number of group exhibitions in Indonesia. His work also involves video art, performance and installation.

Jeffrey Wandly’s (b. 1964) concerns about issues of identity and heritage are reflected in his works. Jeffrey was born in Singapore to parents of West Sumatran, Minangkabau origin. He holds a Masters in Project Management from the Queensland University of Technology, as well as a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) from the National University of Singapore. He is a recipient of the MENDAKI Excellence Award (1993). Jeffrey has exhibited in exhibitions in Singapore and Malaysia. As the owner of Maya Gallery, he is recognised in the fields of architecture and the arts.

Rosihan Dahim’s (b. 1955) art is inspired by his personal experiences and readings of the French and Spanish revolutions, Dadaism and the Surrealist movements. He was also captivated by stories of World War I and II as told by his father who fought in battle alongside the British army during the Japanese occupation in Singapore. Born in Singapore to an Indonesian family, Rosihan is a graduate of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore. With the introduction of his first Matchstick painting series in his first solo show at the National Museum Art Gallery in 1980, his works have been shown in many exhibitions in Singapore, UAE and Japan. Rosihan was awarded 2nd prize in the Ocean Artist of the Year (2010). He recently participated in the Elephant Parade in 2011, and Chairity 2012, in support of the Singapore Cancer Society.

Padang-born artist Rully Rahim (b. 1980) is fascinated with doodling, which he enjoys doing and thus forms the process of exploration in his works. A graduate of the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI), Rully has exhibited widely in Indonesia, including the Jogja National Museum. In 2011, he was one of three artists in an exhibition at SIGIarts entitled “Balance”. His works were also shown in “Postcards From The Edge”, A Visual AIDS Benefit, in New York in 2012.

Stefan Buana (b. 1971), a prominent Indonesian contemporary artist, is known for his innovative and symbolic paintings using various materials and exploring with a variety of techniques. His works have been related to various themes, from political and social issues, to natural disasters, agriculture and tradition. This West Sumatran-born artist is a graduate of the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI), Yogyakarta. He is a winner of the top 25 Artists of Bandung Contemporary Art Award (2011). He has exhibited at many museums and galleries in Indonesia, as well as Japan, Singapore and New York. His works will be featured in the upcoming New York Biennale Art (NYBA) 2012-2013.exhibited at many museums and galleries in Indonesia, as well as in New York, Japan and Singapore. He will be featured in the upcoming New York Biennale Art (NYBA) 2012-2013.

Sunar Sugiyou (b. 1961), one of Singapore’s talented established artists, has created numerous works with influences from his Javanese heritage. He describes this journey as an experience which is sublime and colossal, especially when the laws of nature are in place. He describes this journey as an experience which is sublime and colossal, especially when the laws of nature are in place. Born in Singapore, Sunar is a graduate of the LaSalle College of the Arts, Singapore. He has exhibited in numerous group and solo shows in Singapore, Malaysia and UAE. His works can be found at the Singapore National Museum, National University of Singapore, residences of royal families in the Middle East and the region, and corporate and private collections in Singapore and overseas. He is currently the resident artist and curator at Maya Gallery.

Sufian or Sufian Hamri (b. 1980), and popularly known as “TraseOne”, is an interdisciplinary artist who first made his mark in street art in 1999. His interest in socio-cultural behavior is reflected in his work, which often engages the viewer to interpret underlying serious issues, though comical on the surface. Born in Singapore, Sufian earned a BA (Hons) in Fine Arts (Painting) at the LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts, Singapore. He is a recipient of the SSF Star Youth Leader Award (2005), and pioneer winner of the inaugural Goh Chok Tong Youth Promise Award (2005). He participated in the DOCUMENTA 12 International Art Exhibition in Kassel, Germany in 2007. His works have been shown in numerous commissioned art projects as well as exhibitions locally and globally.

For Wira Purnama (b. 1983), his work is an expression of sincerity, which he finds innate beauty. Born in Balikpapan, Indonesia, Wira graduated from the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI). He has held several solo exhibitions in Indonesia. In 2009, he showed his works in the Tujuh Bintang Art Award exhibition “The Dream” at Jogja National Museum. Wira recently participated in the Yogyakarta Art Festival XXIV.