Mutiara Riswari

The relationship between human and nature
By Nabila Giovanna W

Mutiara Riswari, ‘Sweet Dreams II’, 2022, acrylic and spray paint on canvas, 80 x 100cm. Image courtesy of the artist.

Mutiara Riswari (b. 1998) is an Indonesian artist known for her vibrant abstract works. She studied at Yogyakarta Fine Arts High School (Sekolah Menengah Seni Rupa Yogyakarta), and pursued her bachelors degree at Indonesian Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta (Institut Seni Indonesia/ISI Yogyakarta). Mutiara has exhibited her works both in Indonesia and abroad, in Singapore, South Korea, the Philippines and Thailand. In 2019, she became the finalist of UOB Painting of the Year Awards in the emerging artist category.

Mutiara Riswari, ‘Rooted II’, 2022, acrylic, pastel and spray paint on canvas, 100 x 100cm. Image courtesy of the artist.

In her studio, canvases lean against the walls, and are laid across the floor. Surrounding them are tubes of paint, brushes and spray paint cans. Art is a medium for Mutiara to process trauma, understanding herself and the greater world she lives in. In her solo exhibition ‘Eyes Wide Open’ (2022) at White Space Art Asia, Singapore, she explores the Javanese concept of jagat alit, or microcosmos. Although we are a small part of the universe, our actions have significant implications. The artist’s strong brush strokes and radiant colours are her attempt to understand the world, and her place in it.

For Mutiara, every line, shape and form is not a coincidence, but made in a measured, conscious way to express certain emotions. Although they appear mangled and intertwined with each other, the noise and distortion present a pathway for the artist to reach peace and harmony on the canvas. This practice was amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, when her practice became an outlet for her to contemplate and express her emotions.

Mutiara Riswari, ‘Nature Journal, Purple Definition’, 2022, nature poweder, acrylic, spray paint, pastel on canvas, 170 x 150cm. Image courtesy of the artist.

There are many aspects to pick apart in Mutiara’s works, but the easiest starting point would be to ask what kind of emotions the works invoke in us. Do we feel sad or happy? Do we feel we are in solitude or in the middle of a crowd? After we have taken our view, then we can reflect on how we feel towards our surroundings, just as Mutiara’s works are a reflection of her relationship with nature.

Click here to read our dialogue with Mutiara Riswari, where she speaks about the healing nature of art, connecting with the environment and greater support in the art world.