Theater of Mind
MUSEUM MACAN SHOWCASES HOW ART PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN REFLECTING ON SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CHANGES THROUGH “AGUS SUWAGE: THE THEATER OF ME”
As one of Indonesia’s leading contemporary artists, Agus Suwage has created a significant body of work with a deep commitment to the exploration of the subjective individual and their complex relationship to society and politics. Intriguingly, this is explored through the inclusion of popular symbols, mythology and iconography, as well as self-portraiture.
On this note, the
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara (better known as Museum MACAN) has recently unveiled its latest major exhibition titled “Agus Suwage: The Theater of Me.” This is essentially a major survey exhibition covering the works of Suwage, who came to prominence in the mid-to-late 1990s and has been actively engaged in both local and international art scenes.
“‘The Theater of Me’ is a journey to revisit the works that I’ve been creating for the past 30 years. Throughout the journey, there’s a realization that I kept recycling existing works and developed them into new and different shapes and dimensions, which led to many interesting findings,” explained Suwage. “Through the process of reflection and exploration since my early days as an artist, I saw a close relationship between art, politics and society.
You will see my works from important stages such as self-portraits, and also the exploration of memory, fear, alienation, dreams, human identity and humor.”
The exhibition addresses sweeping cultural as well as political themes—which is refracted through intimate and personal narratives— and includes around 80 works, consisting of major installations, sculptures, paintings and drawings. Collectively, they explore the development of Agus Suwage’s work in Indonesia’s Reformasi context.
“Agus Suwage is one of Indonesia’s leading artists.
His work is known and loved in Indonesia, and his works has been widely exhibited and collected throughout the world. His impact as an artist can be seen in his painterly technique and also in the ways in which he has been able to channel the hopes and fears of a generation
that was swept up into the momentous political and social change in the lead up to Reformasi,” explained Aaron Seeto, Director of Museum MACAN and curator of the exhibition. “Far from being simple analogies and observations of the changing world around him, the works of Agus Suwage usually involve constant self-interrogation, probing the myths and symbols that frame the complexity of human relations and national political power, elaborating its brightest ideals and miserable corruptions.”
“Agus Suwage: The Theater of Me” will run until October 15, 2022, with strict health and safety protocols in place at the museum. As a final touch, the exhibition is accompanied by an extensive education and a public program, with integrated activities for children.