Focus on Indonesian Galleries; Li Chen, Kongo Solos
By A&M

Li Chen, ‘Eclipse ‧ Twilight Breeze’, 2016, bronze, 30 x 16 x 25cm, edition of 30. Image courtesy of Art Agenda, S.E.A..

Art Moments launches this weekend in Jakarta, taking place from 3 to 5 May. This is one of several new art fairs in the region: SEA Focus took place during Singapore Art Week in January, a revamped Art Jakarta is coming up in October and the new Art SG will take place in November.

The fair has a roster of mainly Indonesian galleries, such as Jakarta-based D Gallerie, which will showcase works by French-Vietnamese graffiti artist Cyril Phan, better known as Kongo. International galleries taking part include Perrotin presenting works by Japanese artist Mr., as well as Singapore-based Art Agenda, S.E.A. and Gajah Gallery. Auction house Phillips will also present artworks for the first time at an art fair in Asia, and all of the works exhibited will be available for private sale after the fair through its global private sale platform.

Kongo, ‘Bitcoin HODL’, 2018, French linen, 200 x 250cm. Image courtesy of D Gallerie.

The fair will be held at Sheraton Grand Jakarta, owned by prominent Indonesian art collector Alex Tedja. The hotel, and the adjoining Gandaria City Mall, which display artworks from Tedja’s extensive collection, is a fitting venue for the fair. This was incidentally where Art Stage Jakarta was held in 2016 and 2017 before it was cancelled in 2018.

Art Moments Founder and Fair Director Leo Silitonga brings to the fair his wealth of experience from various roles. Previously a banker and collector turned art gallery owner, he says, “I can relate to the needs of a business, the needs of collectors and the needs of exhibitors.” Silitonga was also previously Fair Director at both Bazaar Art Jakarta (renamed Art Jakarta in 2017) in 2014 and 2015, and then at Art Stage Jakarta.

Leo Silitonga, Founder and Fair Director, Art Moments, with a work by Indonesian artist Aditya Novali. Image courtesy of Art Moments.

Starting a new art fair comes with its challenges. Silitonga cites the cancellation of Art Stage Singapore – and Volta New York – earlier this year as a significant hurdle in persuading galleries to take part in Art Moments. But he firmly believes that his fair has something unique to offer to the Indonesian and wider Southeast Asian art scene, particularly with its boutique size to discover not only local but also international artists.

Graffiti art is well represented at Art Moments. KAWS’ ‘Moving the Mirror’ and Banksy’s ‘Abe Lincoln’ are highlights in a special exhibition presented by Phillips, among other works by Western and Asian artists including Natee Utarit, Yayoi Kusama and Damien Hirst. This is the auction house’s first participation in an Indonesian art fair.

Natee Utarit, ‘Dust Under the Shoe’, 2010, oil on linen, 140 x 160cm. Image courtesy of Phillips.

Galleries taking part are pulling out all the stops to ensure a successful inaugural Art Moments. Art Agenda, S.E.A. is collaborating with AlvinT studio to present a booth that rejects a white cube space in favour of soothing pink walls complemented by rattan furniture. “Art Agenda, S.E.A. will present a sprawling all-sculpture booth that surveys modern sculpture in Indonesia through the works of three 20th-century artists - Arthur Fleischmann, Gregorious Sidharta and Rita Widagdo,” says Founder Wang Zineng. “The booth will also feature the first solo exhibition of the internationally celebrated sculptor, Li Chen in Indonesia. Iconic works from his landmark ‘Spiritual Journey through the Great Ether’ series and his latest ‘Ethereal Cloud’ series will be presented.”

Naufal Abshar, ‘My Authentic Life/Classic Car’, 2019, mixed media on canvas, 120 x 200cm. Image courtesy of Art Porters.

Many galleries are bringing a wide selection of artists to the fair. Art Porters has prepared a group show of young Indonesian artists Naufal Abshar, Wayan Novi, and Meliantha Muliawan, along with young Malaysian artist Chok Yue Zan. The artworks are well priced to capture a new generation of art collectors. Art Porters Founder Guillaume Lévy-Lambert says, “Our gallery’s mission is ‘sharing happiness with art’, and we deliver on this promise with artworks accessible to many young collectors.”

Gajah Gallery will be showing a variety of works from its roster of mostly Indonesian artists, including Ashley Bickerton, Erizal As, Fika Ria Santika, Handiwirman Saputra, Mangu Putra, Octora, Rudi Mantofani, Sabri Idrus and Yunizar, together with Malaysian artist Kayleigh Goh. "Gajah Gallery was founded with a particular focus on contemporary Indonesian art,” says the gallery. “We firmly believe in the potential for Indonesian artists and are excited to showcase the latest works by established and emerging local artists here in Jakarta."

Erizal As, ‘Kimposisi Kata’, 2018, oil on canvas, 180 x 180cm. Image courtesy of Gajah Gallery.

From Taipei, Be Fine Art Gallery is presenting the works of Russian sculptor Andrey Ostashov. "As a long-running gallery from Taipei, we are pleased to participate in the first edition of Art Moments,” says Deputy Director Vanessa Chan. “Ostashov's works have been shown mostly in Europe. We hope this year, by presenting the solo show of this Belarusian artist, we can see dialogues happening between art lovers in Jakarta and Ostashov's sculptures.”

A discussion to attend at the fair, titled “Recalibrating Art Circuit”, will see Ade Darmawan, artist, curator and director of Ruangrupa, the artist collective recently named curators of documenta 15, in conversation with Aaron Seeto, Director of Museum MACAN and young Indonesian art collector Natasha Sidharta, to discuss the place of Indonesian within the global art circuit.

A&M is proud to be an official media partner of Art Moments.

Art Moments Fair Hours
VIP Preview: 3 May (Fri), 11am to 1.30pm
Vernissage: 3 May (Fri), 11.30am to 9pm
Weekend Opening Hours: 4 May (Sat) and 5 May (Sun), 11am to 9pm

For more information, visit artmomentsjakarta.com.