Southeast Asia at Art Basel’s ‘OVR: Pioneers’

Gajah Gallery, Yavuz Gallery, STPI and gb agency
By Vivyan Yeo

Rudi Mantofani, ‘Simfoni Bumi Langit (Gold Series No.7) [Earth Sky Symphony (Gold Series No.7)]’, 2020, acrylic on canvas, 200 x 200cm. Image courtesy of Gajah Gallery.

The art world is amongst the few industries to successfully transition to the digital realm during the pandemic, and art fairs have been at the forefront of this movement. Art Basel has launched ‘OVR: Pioneers’, a set of thematic online viewing rooms devoted to artists who have blazed a trail in terms of aesthetic, conceptual or socio-political frameworks. In the spirit of breaking new ground, this edition introduces a new function that allows viewers to share their selection of favourite artworks and viewing rooms. Users will be able to choose from nearly 800 artworks presented by 100 galleries around the world.

Handiwirman Saputra, ‘Tak Berakar, Tak Berpucuk - No. 7 (No Roots, No Shoots - No.7)’, 2011, plywood, cloth, corrugated roof sheet, screen print puff ink, steel and acrylic paint, edition unique, 183 x 118cm. Image courtesy of Gajah Gallery.

A Southeast Asian gallery taking part is Gajah Gallery, which has spaces in Singapore and Yogyakarta. It is presenting paintings and sculptures by the Indonesian art collective Kelompok Seni Rupa Jendela (KSR Jendela), made up of artists Handiwirman Saputra, Jumaldi Alfi, Rudi Mantofani, Yunizar and Yusra Martunus. By promoting the importance of play and collaboration in art-making, the KSR Jendela offered a radical view during the 1990s, a time when nationalistic and post-colonial debates were fervent.

Pinaree Sanpitak, ‘The Hammock’, 2014 - 2015, 600 blown glass beads and stainless steel, edition 3 of 3. Image courtesy of Yavuz Gallery.

Based in both Singapore and Sydney, Yavuz Gallery presents ‘Fragmented Bodies: 1995-2020’, a selection of drawings, paintings, sculptures and installations by Thai artist Pinaree Sanpitak. Through diverse materials such as charcoal, synthetic fibre and handmade glass, she playfully reconsiders the human body as a holder of memory, experience and space. Another gallery that focuses on unorthodox materials is STPI - Creative Workshop & Gallery, which is showcasing works on handmade cement paper by American artist Sam Durant.

Pratchaya Phinthong, ‘Demonstrations’, 2008, performance, edition unique. Image courtesy of gb agency. 

gb agency is the only gallery featuring works from both within Southeast Asia and beyond. Based in Paris, the gallery presents a collection of artwork by Thai artist Pratchaya Phinthong, Slovak artist Roman Ondak and British artist Ryan Gander. Across the different regions, these conceptual artists challenge humanity’s privileging of logic and choose instead to highlight the importance of imagination and critical thinking. 

While creating online exhibitions for a global audience, Art Basel has announced that the upcoming edition of Art Basel Hong Kong will take place in May this year. The physical fair will welcome collectors, gallerists and art lovers to exchange ideas, develop new connections and view art in person. 

Click here to visit ‘OVR: Pioneers’, on view from 25 March to 27 March 2021.