Not only does an artist collective help promote artists around the world, but they also function as support systems and act as a platform which enables artists to experiment, research as well as innovate to a greater lengths.

Cemeti Art House

Cemeti Art House has transformed the Indonesian art scene since it was established in 1988. Founded by Dutch-Javanese couple Mella Jaarsma and Nindityo Adipurnomo, this multi-faceted art space does more than just hold exhibitions. Cemeti Art House also functions as an information, documentation and promotion centre, which has given more exposure to arising contemporary artists in Indonesia and around the world. As Jaarsma and Adipurnomo are both artists themselves, Cemeti Art House is a reflection of their understanding of artists needs and requirements in order to get noticed in the region.

The appreciation for art in terms of the process and development of it is what makes Cemeti Art House unique. In 2010, they introduced a new platform revolved around ways to reinvent ‘Art and Society’. In this way, their practices are not solely centred on publicity, but also to honour artists and their work.

This artist collective also introduced the term ‘contemporary’ into Indonesia’s art scene and was actually one of the first galleries to represent artists of these genres in the country. The main aim of the visual and art house is to focus specifically on developing political and social discourses seen by artists through ‘stimulating’ art practices. Their residency program also provides artists with the opportunity to research, experiment, explore and collaborate.

Mes 56

Mes 56, was started by a group of artists in 2002 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia and is a non-profit institution space that offers several programs and opportunities to artists. By initiating exhibitions, workshops and offering residency, they are able to create an intricate network that supports contemporary artists and their artwork in the region.

The artist collective define itself as a place for exploration and experimentation, specifically as a production laboratory and the dissemination of photo-based art. By working with contemporary artists, they are able to place their attention providing a space where contextual ideas and concepts are made. Ruang Mes56 aim to expand and develop art discourse and visual culture in Indonesia and beyond. Since hosting a large variety of events and exhibitions throughout the year, they continue to enrich Indonesia’s art scene by providing insight into particular issues brought by artists.

Forum Ceblang Ceblung

*Wimo Ambala Bayang’s solo exhibition, Perisai Putih Yang Belum Sudah, 2014*
*Image: Ceblang Ceblung*

Ceblang Ceblung was founded in 2013 and is co-ordinated by 21 art practitioners in a range of artistic practices. The forum is designed to exchange information and to allow artists to express concerns and bring these issues to light. Different notions vis-à-vis culture, politics and society that are collected encourage the creation of new ideas as well as stimulate debate. As a result, the reciprocity of information between artists is what defines Forum Ceblang Ceblung from other organisations, as it perpetuates and maintains a conversation created by this artistic community.

As a result works of art are produced out of these arguments or topics projected on the platform that may have sparked debate. Notable Indonesian contemporary artist, Wimo Ambala Bayang, who is one of the 21 members held a solo exhibition last year in December 2014 called Perisai Putih Yang Belum Sudah. In this show, Wimo focused on the topic of memory, and deeply explored the context of it. His work shifted the idea of a memory into something subjective, questioning the reliability of it all. Wimo presents his audience with the philosophical idea that what could be seen as an authentic expression of a memory, is in actual fact not a real representation of an encounter, as other elements embedded in ones mind can affect ones perception of reality.

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