Step into artist Eko Nugroho’s studio, located in Jogja (Yogyakarta), Indonesia, a creative hub for both traditional and contemporary art in the region and experience a close-knit spirit which inspired the artist’s community-based practice.
Nugroho reflected on his childhood and living conditions that informed and influenced his practice today. He gave an example of listening to “wayang,” shadow puppet theater, on the radio and only watching performances from behind the scenes since his family could not afford the cost of admission. The storylines, characters, lights and colors were a big inspiration for his artworks.
The internationally renowned artist shared how his works “engage the identity of modern society,” with his street art activations providing “important public feedback” and connecting him with other local artists and craftspeople.
At ART SG 2024, Nugroho’s presentation ‘We Are Here Now,’ commissioned by the UBS Art Collection, aims to raise awareness and highlight the urgency of global waste issues. As the artist explains: “We are faced with a problem we have created ourselves… we are responsible for what we do, and the plastic waste we produce.”
The interactive project, which will be displayed in the UBS Art Studio on Level 1 at the fair, compromises three sculptures, two of which are made from household waste items the artist has collected such as soy sauce bottles and sausage containers, reshaped into masks that resemble the cast of characters that appear in his works. The third sculpture is to be completed on site by the fairgoers. Visitors are asked to pose for Polaroid pictures of themselves wearing the mask sculptures and these photos will then be attached to the “blank” sculpture titled 'We Are Here Now' (2023-2024). Just as the installation invites human participation, Nugroho believes that the world needs people’s actions to solve pressing matters.
The UBS Lounge will feature ‘Hands with Sunrise,’ which brings together embroidered paintings that Nugroho has created with local craftspeople and works made from upcycled waste. Specially commissioned by the UBS Art Collection, ‘Guarding Sunrise in Mind’ (2023) shows colorful characters flying towards new horizons. “(It) is about optimism and enthusiasm in the present gloomy situation,” says Nugroho.
The presentations will be on view at ART SG 2024 from January 19-21. UBS is the proud Founding and Global Lead Partner
