Tracing Culture Catalogue

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Tracing Culture NOVA KUSUMA • FUAD MACHMUD • SHIDDIQ MACHMUD 16 DECEMBER 2020 - 29 JANUARY 2021

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Chapter 02:

Tracing Culture

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A Catalogue for ‘Tracing Culture’ an Online Exhibition Featuring Shiddiq Machmud, Nova Kusuma, and Fuad Machmud 16 December 2020 - 29 January 2021 at www.cakravala.com Curated by Cakravala Text by Adella Bahar

Photography by Dani Gama Putra Published by Issuu Catalogue Design by Brina Paska Digital Catalogue

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curatorial statement Presenting our first group exhibition featuring 3 Bali-based artists: Nova Kusuma, Shiddiq Machmud and Fuad Machmud, ‘Tracing Culture’ runs from December 16th 2020 until January 29th 2021.

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Indonesia’s long history of art has undergone many transformations where its biggest one lies in the blurring of artistic distinctions. Due to Western influences which spread during the colonial period, it undermines the strong sense of identity our culture possesses. Today, young emerging artists are finding ways to revisit their heritage and redefine Indonesian art through a contemporary lens. Incorporating fragments of culture throughout their work, the juxtaposition of tradition and contemporaneity explores how traditional art, custom and attire were a big part of the daily lives of our ancestors. By recasting historical references to shape new modes of storytelling, these artists investigate the role of culture and heritage in our modern world – collectively restoring the identity of Indonesian art whilst still maintaining their individuality.

‘Tracing Culture’ is a show that explores the unique histories of our ancestors represented through the different art forms.

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tracing culture

A Brief History of Indonesian Art To define Indonesian art is to acknowledge the diversity of its streams – from political to localised art forms, they can be traced back to a prehistoric era where the natives used tools and weapons from stone to create sculptures. The first pieces of art mainly attributed to the spiritual aspect of Hindu communities. Throughout this period, court art was developed as a form of offering to please the Gods and to glorify rulers of the country. In Hinduism, spirituality is embodied through male and female figures to display the worship of individuals. Shiddiq explores this philosophy by symbolising honour and strength as he adorns a woman with a headdress made of gold. In ‘Hereditary’, he reflects on ancestral stories by using the Dayak Hudoq mask to express the afterlife and an unbroken chain of tales and tradition deeply rooted within our blood.

It was not until later when art in Indonesia became predominantly influenced by our interaction with people outside the country.

The Dutch settlement and an increased number of visits from the West since the 1930’s strongly affected the value of Indonesian art. As European influences intertwined with primitive techniques, it ultimately shifted our appreciation towards

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folk art – characterising it as ‘tourist’ art.

Throughout the 20th century, Indonesia’s contemporary artists have strived to evolve their practices by making them more diverse than ever. This progress became highly evident during the end of 1998 and towards the start of Reformasi (reforms). Fuad’s work encompasses the different stages of this development by celebrating the unification of different cultures which can also be seen within his tattoo designs. Though in this exhibition, his photographic recreation of traditional ornaments foregrounds these objects against a dark backdrop, to portray an ethereal realm where the nationality and identity of his culture remains untouched.

Above all, it is important to outline the traditional and contemporary values which underpin art in Indonesia. It is much more than a single linear narrative as various aspects shape our culture and society. Our islands are made up of a mix of different religions, traditions, and civilisations. Most contemporary values are moulded by the strong traditional beliefs that run from one generation to another.

“Here, art is something you see everywhere you go. It has always been our way of living”, explains Nova. This exhibition sees him restore old images of Balinese society with vivid colours to express the art that surrounds us.

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Shiddiq Machmud

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HEREDITARY BY SHIDDIQ MACHMUD

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Shiddiq Machmud, the co-founder of DUĒ HATUĒ, is a tattoo artist from East Borneo, Indonesia, who is best known for his combination of surrealist and tribal patterned ink works. They bear influences from various parts of Indonesia whilst integrating Russian Jail tattoos, as he aims to harmonise different cultures together as one. Fusing animal-like figures with human faces, his work transcends beyond conventional approaches to art as a means to preserve Indonesian culture by merging the old with the new; the South-East with the West – all the while still maintaining the strong identity of his cultural heritage.

In his first group show with Cakravala, Shiddiq experiments with photography and adds a recurring effect to the Dayak Hudoq mask and Sumatran Suntiang crown.

Echoing the stories of his tribe, the technique symbolises an unbroken chain of tales and tradition transported through time and place.

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UNTITLED BY SHIDDIQ MACHMUD

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“I believe that sense of longing towards where we came from and wanting to explore our roots will come regardless of how far we move or how much gets lost in translation from modernisation.”

— SHIDDIQ MACHMUD

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SUCCESSOR TO THE NATION’S INHERITANCE BY SHIDDIQ MACHMUD

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INCREASED STRENGTH BY SHIDDIQ MACHMUD

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THE LAST HEIR BY SHIDDIQ MACHMUD

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Nova Kusuma

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NYUUN DULANG BY NOVA KUSUMA

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Nova Kusuma is a collage artist from Bali who began exploring the medium as he watched his friends create collages and murals in empty buildings. His works are a touchstone to the things he observes throughout his daily life, drawing influences from music, sci-fi horror films, social politics and street culture to create multi-universes in paper form. By merging historical with contemporary worlds, Nova maintains to use analogue and primitive techniques throughout his practice, as his process lies in deconstructing what exists to recreate it into something new.

As a sentiment to his cultural tradition, Nova interweaves the process of Balinese ceremonies within his collages for ‘Tracing Culture’. He applies wool yarn and coconut leaf to old Balinese images as he postcard-size series are memorabilia of a timeless civilization.

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TARI TELEK BY NOVA KUSUMA

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THEY DON’T NEED A JACUZZI BY NOVA KUSUMA

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“I see everyone from my culture as artists. Whether they are making an artwork, taking part in a ceremony or giving offerings around the island here, art is something you see everywhere you go. It has always been our way of living.”

— NOVA KUSUMA

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Fuad Machmud

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A SENSIBLE APPROACH BY FUAD MACHMUD

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Along with his brother Shiddiq, Fuad Machmud is a tattoo artist from East Borneo, Indonesia, who started DUĒ HATUĒ – a Bali-based tattoo studio with a diverse team of 6 artists. His ability to work across various mediums has shaped his dynamic approach when creating an artwork. His distinctive style in photography, illustration and ink work shows the interconnection of all beings, as he is drawn to adapting to ideas and values outside of his own. Merging traditional Indonesian motifs with Mediterranean and Egyptian forms, Fuad’s work casts an ongoing dialogue between different cultures and traditions marked on the skin to form a collective approach in appreciating our roots.

This exhibition sees the artist give a twodimensional perspective to his tattoo designs, as he recreates traditional ornaments to represent the cultural significance of Sumba, Palembang, Karo and Manggarai.

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STRUCTURE THE EMBRACE BY FUAD MACHMUD

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WISDOM BY FUAD MACHMUD

REJOICE IN CELEBRATION BY FUAD MACHMUD

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“Humans adapt to their surroundings. This ability to adapt is visible throughout my work in the way I merge different cultures and disciplines. The diaspora of people, beliefs, religion and ways of living helps expand our culture so it is our job to protect it.”

— FUAD MACHMUD

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LOVE BEGINS BY FUAD MACHMUD

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TRANSFORMATION BY FUAD MACHMUD

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artwork price list

price list artwork

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artwork price list

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artwork price list

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HEREDITARY (2020) SHIDDIQ MACHMUD Photography 84.1cm x 118.9cm (A0) 10,000,000 IDR

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UNTITLED (2020) SHIDDIQ MACHMUD Photography 84.1cm x 118.9cm (A0) 10,000,000 IDR

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SUCCESSOR TO THE NATION’S INHERITANCE (2020) SHIDDIQ MACHMUD Photography 84.1cm x 118.9cm (A0) 10,000,000 IDR

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INCREASED STRENGTH (2020) SHIDDIQ MACHMUD Photography 84.1cm x 118.9cm (A0) 10,000,000 IDR

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THE LAST HEIR (2020) SHIDDIQ MACHMUD Photography 118.9cm x 84.1cm (A0) 10,000,000 IDR

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NYUUN DULANG (2020) NOVA KUSUMA Mixed media collage with yarn wool 18.6cm x 28.2cm 2,000,000 IDR

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TARI TELEK(2020) NOVA KUSUMA Mixed media collage with yarn wool 23.2cm x 20cm 2,000,000 IDR

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THEY DON’T NEED A JACUZZI (2020) NOVA KUSUMA Mixed media collage with yarn wool 28.5cm x 16cm 2,000,000 IDR

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A SENSIBLE APPROACH (2020) FUAD MACHMUD Photography 59.4cm x 84.1cm (A1) 10,000,000 IDR

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STRUCTURE THE EMBRACE (2020) FUAD MACHMUD Photography 59.4cm x 84.1cm (A1) 10,000,000 IDR

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WISDOM (2020) FUAD MACHMUD Photography 59.4cm x 84.1cm (A1) 10,000,000 IDR

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REJOICE IN CELEBRATION (2020) FUAD MACHMUD Photography 59.4cm x 84.1cm (A1) 10,000,000 IDR

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TRANSFORMATION (2020) FUAD MACHMUD Photography 59.4cm x 84.1cm (A1) 10,000,000 IDR

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LOVE BEGINS (2020) FUAD MACHMUD Photography 59.4cm x 84.1cm (A1) 10,000,000 IDR

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mail@cakravala.com

@_cakravala

@cakravala.art

www.cakravala.com

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about cakravala

Cakravala is a digital platform showcasing the works of new and emerging artists. Holding solo and group exhibitions, the platform highlights Indonesia’s diverse art and culture scene by representing it through a contemporary narrative. The platform highlights Indonesia’s diverse art and culture scene by representing it through a contemporary narrative. ​ o different than a physical gallery, we N aim to traverse the offline to an enriching online experience with a means to nurture the connection between you and our artists, without being restricted by the absence of physical space.

defining cakravala Cakravala is derived from the Indonesian word ‘Cakrawala’ which translates to ‘the horizon’.

The horizon is defined as the line where the surface of the earth and the sky appear to meet - a sight of a line that divides two substances.

Cakravala teaches the notion of looking at things from more than a one-dimensional perspective and raising curiosity toward other worlds. Cakravala is the horizon through which people can access and experience a heterogeneity space, making art accessible for younger generations and beyond.

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terms and conditions Shipping Policy Your artwork(s) will be shipped to your address once we have confirmed your order and payment.

Artwork(s) will be sent from various locations depending on where the artist is residing.

If you are located in Indonesia, your item will be delivered to you using JNE. Shipping cost is not included within the retail price. You will be able to choose your shipping service at check out.

If the main expedition has problems such as closing, there is a possibility that we will use another expedition. We will notify you of changes in shipping prices within 1x24 hours after changes to the expedition used For international shipping, please contact mail@cakravala.com to make a direct purchase with us.

We will choose the most suitable courier service for your country and assist you in completing the payment process.

If your payment is not received after 48 hours of purchase confirmation, your order will be cancelled.

For domestic and international orders, if you do not receive your order within 30 days after your payment and confirmation, Cakravala will refund your money in full.

The order will be deemed received if there is no confirmation of Artwork receipt within 7 (seven) days after the delivery service tracking system stating the Artwork has arrived at its delivery destination In the event that the artist is unable to make immediate delivery for any reason, we will notify you as soon as possible. Refunds of payment will be made a maximum of 48 hours after notification of late delivery Travel insurance cost is included in shipping cost.

Return Policy Cakravala is dedicated to ensuring the satisfaction of our art collectors. So, once you have received your original artwork, you have seven (7) days to decide whether or not you would like to keep, return or refund any artwork you have purchased through us. Artwork prints are eligible for return 28 days after the date you received your order.

You may return any eligible artwork provided that it is returned to the artist in its original condition and packaging.

For detailed information on how to return either an original work, please read through our Refund and Return Policy.

Before reading the instructions provided below on how to return an original work, please carefully read our Original Artwork Return Policy:

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1. Original Artwork Return Policy Once you have received your original artwork, you have seven (7) days to decide whether or not you would like to keep, return or refund your item.

We also require all returned artwork to be shipped out by the buyer within two (2) days after confirming with us that the work will be returned. *Do not ship the artwork before contacting us; please send a confirmation of your return/refund to us in advance!* If you fail to notify us within 7 days after receiving your item or you do not ship the work within 2 days of notifying us, you will not be eligible for a refund.

2. Returning Original, Undamaged Works a. Within seven (7) days of your merchandise delivery date, please email us on mail@cakravala.com and provide us with your order information and the reason for your request to return/refund. Please include the photo After the request for a return or refund is approved, you can repack the artwork. b. Please repackage artwork using the original packaging materials used by the artist. If packaging has been disposed, you will be responsible in re-purchasing packaging materials to send the artwork back to the artist in a safe condition. We also do not cover the cost of sending the artwork back to the artist including but not limited to shipping insurance. c. Send us an email on mail@cakravala.com when you have completed the return process. Please send documents such as shipping receipt, photo of repacking of artwork.

Once the artwork has safely reached the artist, we will process your return and your money will be refunded to your original source of payment in the same as your original order (minus shipping costs and international customs fees, if any) within 5-7 business days of your item return.

3. Important additional return information: Additional shipping fees may apply for international returns.

4. What if my artwork arrives in a damaged condition? a. Within seven (7) days of your merchandise delivery date, please email us on mail@cakravala.com and we will get back to you promptly. b. Do not dispose of original packaging. c. Document and take photos and videos of damaged artwork and packaging. Please email these photos to mail@cakravala.com d. The Cakravala team will contact you to discuss the next steps.

Tax Retail price of each artwork is inclusive of 5% local tax.

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