Bambang ‘Toko’ Witjaksono, Your Face Is In My Comic Book, 2014, Batik painting on cotton, 101 x 156 cm
n
You are cordially invited to
Bambang ‘Toko’ Witjaksono: Batikkomik
Exhibition Opening: Friday 31 October, 6.30 – 9 pm Main Gallery n
n
n
Equator Art Projects is pleased to present the first solo exhibition by Indonesian artist, Bambang ‘Toko’ Witjaksono, in Singapore. For his upcoming show, Bambang Toko has produced a new series of work experimenting with the techniques of traditional batik making.
A well-recognised figure in contemporary Indonesian art, Bambang Toko is an artist, curator, educator and also one of the founding members of the artist collective, Apotik Komik (Comic Pharmacy). He is known for his bright, graphic style which references imagery from vintage Indonesian comics and pop culture. Reminiscent of Roy Lichtenstein’s comic strip paintings, the forms within the composition are built up through flat expanses of vivid colour and are highlighted with solid black outlines, achieving a stenciled effect. On occasion, text is incorporated into the composition through the use of a speech bubble. These works are fused with playful narratives and filled with tongue-in-cheek humour.
For this exhibition, Bambang Toko will present a selection of batik paintings on both cotton and plywood. These new works reveal a shift in Bambang Toko’s artistic practice and are an exploration of new materials, as well as the potential of batik as a medium for painting.
Bambang ‘Toko’ Witjaksono (b. 1973, Yogyakarta – Indonesia) graduated with a BFA in Printmaking from Indonesia Institute of the Arts (ISI) in Yogyakarta, where he has been a lecturer since 1999. He later completed his MFA at Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) in 2004. Bambang has participated in artist residency programmes in Liechtenstein (2003), New Delhi (2006) and Darwin (2008). He has exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Indonesia and abroad. Selected solo shows are Jakarta Art District (2010); Valentine Willie Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur (2009); Darwin Visual Art Association, Darwin (2008); Toimoi Art + Design Gallery, Jakarta (2007) and Cemeti Art House, Yogyakarta (2001). He has participated in a plethora of group exhibitions at mo_space, Manila (2014); Nasional Galeri Indonesia, Jakarta (2013); Piccadily Place, Manchester (2011); Biennale Jogja X (2009), Langgeng Gallery, Magelang (2008); Valentine Willie Gallery, Singapore (2008) and Selasar Sunaryo, Bandung (2007). The artist lives and works in Yogyakarta.
Squishface Studio and heavy friends join forces to create a FREE 48 page comic book about Brunswick! The book will be available at several places in the City of Moreland, but the launch (part of MoreArt) is SUNDAY 26 OCTOBER at the Mechanics Institute (next to the Retreat Hotel, Brunswick) from 2:30pm!
n
Get your free copy and celebrate the fact that the City of Moreland is either, depending on your point of view, a “dangerous loony activist council” or “a place where people get to speak their minds and make good art”. Squishzine Brunstown: launch of our free comic book
Featuring work by Arran McKenna, Marta Tesoro, Nadia Toukhsati, Jase Harper, Scott Reid, Jess Parker, Ive Sorocuk, Martin Nixon, Lauren Hills, Ele Jenkins, Alex Clark, Teags Humm, Sam Wallman, Sarah Howell, Michael Fikaris, Gregory Mackay, David Blumenstein, Ben Hutchings and Jo Waite!
n
Get your free copy and celebrate the fact that the City of Moreland is either, depending on your point of view, a “dangerous loony activist council” or “a place where people get to speak their minds and make good art”. Can’t make it to the launch? Get your copy at the following venues in November: Squishface Studio, 309 Victoria St, Brunswick Brunswick Library Coburg Library Brunswick Station Jewell Station Gowrie Station Coburg Station
Michael has drawn an 80 page book of the collaboration (which you can get by contributing) to “ aise awareness and spirit of this humanitarian institution in East Timor. Please have a look and contribute what you can in the next 2 weeks for this first time Arts Festival – ARTE PUBLIKU"
“Film School should be a place where dreams are nurtured and brought to life. Instead it’s a conniving, back-stabbing world of power games and egos. Also, the parties sucked. Fun for ages 18 and up.” http://indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7901
