Equator Art Projects is pleased to present the first solo exhibition by Indonesian artist, Bambang ‘Toko’ Witjaksono, in Singapore. For his upcoming show, Bambang Toko has produced a new series of work experimenting with the techniques of traditional batik making.
A well-recognised figure in contemporary Indonesian art, Bambang Toko is an artist, curator, educator and also one of the founding members of the artist collective, Apotik Komik (Comic Pharmacy). He is known for his bright, graphic style which references imagery from vintage Indonesian comics and pop culture. Reminiscent of Roy Lichtenstein’s comic strip paintings, the forms within the composition are built up through flat expanses of vivid colour and are highlighted with solid black outlines, achieving a stenciled effect. On occasion, text is incorporated into the composition through the use of a speech bubble. These works are fused with playful narratives and filled with tongue-in-cheek humour.
For this exhibition, Bambang Toko will present a selection of batik paintings on both cotton and plywood. These new works reveal a shift in Bambang Toko’s artistic practice and are an exploration of new materials, as well as the potential of batik as a medium for painting.
Image: Bambang ‘Toko’ Witjaksono, YES, I'M OK, batik painting on cotton, 101 x 156 cm, 2014. Copyright © 2014 Equator Art Project, All rights reserved.