A Solo Exhibition by Joko Avianto

REDBASE proudly presents Embodied: Perception of Objects, a solo exhibition by Joko Avianto, where bamboo emerges as a versatile medium for sculptural exploration. This collection delves into the duality of strength and flexibility inherent in bamboo, transforming familiar shaped or mundane objects into evocative artworks that challenge perceptions. Embodied: Perception of Objects showcases a variety of forms: from a bamboo paper bag to an imprint of Java Island on draped bamboo, and a monumental wall slate featuring intricate bamboo grain and decorative patterns in black and white. Each piece is imbued with a sense of organic movement and texture, despite being reinforced with resin to maintain structural integrity that belies its natural origins.

Central to Avianto’s artistic vision is a critique of environmental exploitation, with a focus on humanity’s relationship with nature. Through his choice of bamboo, a lightweight and sustainable material, he underscores the urgency of environmental consciousness while celebrating its aesthetic possibilities. Avianto’s journey as an artist is marked by a transformation of the mundane into the extraordinary. His sculptures reinterpret everyday objects with finesse, infusing them with both beauty and irony. Throughout his practice, Avianto’s work resonates as a testament to his unique perspective on contemporary sculpture. Embodied: Perception of Objects encourages a re-evaluation of the ordinary, prompting a deeper look beyond the familiar to discern the profound within everyday life. Through Avianto’s skillful craftsmanship, bamboo emerges not just as a medium of artistic expression but also as a potent symbol of resilience and transformation in the context of environmental challenges.

Joko Avianto, born in Cimahi, West Java in 1976, graduated from the Faculty of Art and Design (FSRD) at The Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) in 1996, where he later pursued his Master’s Program. Currently, he serves as a sculpture lecturer at the Indonesian Arts College (ISBI) in Bandung. Avianto’s artistic achievements have garnered international acclaim, with exhibitions at prestigious venues such as Esplanade Singapore (2018), Yokohama Triennale (2017) in Japan, and Frankfurter Kuntsverein in Frankfurt, Germany (2015). He has also exhibited at Artstage Singapore (2015), Georgetown Festival (2014) in Penang, Malaysia, ARTJOG (2012), and participated in various group exhibitions at esteemed galleries like Murai Art Project, Gallery RJ Katamsi Yogyakarta, Art Bali 2019, Salihara Festival in Jakarta, and Ciputra World Marketing Gallery. His works have been commissioned by entities including the local government in Jakarta, Kohler Experience Center Jakarta, and Manunggal Residence. Avianto’s national solo exhibitions include Astakona in 2001 at Benda Gallery, Yogyakarta, S.A.M.O (Social Activator Mobile Object) in 2001 in Bandung, and Embodied in 2023 at Galeri Ruang Dini, Bandung.