This exhibition spotlights some of the most distinctive voices emerging from a younger generation of artists living in Yogyakarta. These artists are loosely collectivised by their tendency to mix images from local and international popular culture, comics and pop art into their visual language. Their works are visually arresting; often with oversized, fantastical characters as the central element of the composition and are characterised by their highly detailed finish and loud colours screaming for attention.

Growing up witnessing the changing landscape of agricultural Yogyakarta; the artists explore the effects of urbanisation, balancing opposing values: rural and urban, tradition and modernity. Although not directly engaged in politics, the works are often a satirical commentary about society and issues faced by contemporary artists today. These artists seek alternative modes of creative expression; their multidisciplinary practice is not solely limited to traditional mediums like paintings and sculpture. Many of these artists have expanded their practice to produce merchandise like T-shirts, stickers and accessories, as well as experimenting with unconventional materials. 

About the curator. Rain Rosidi (b. 1975, Indonesia) is an independent curator and lecturer at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts, Yogyakarta. He worked as curator for the alternative space Gelaran (2000). In 2003, he joined the arts management residency program at Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane and at the Asia Australian Art Center (Gallery 4A), Australia. His curatorial works include Neo Iconoclast (2014), Future of Us (2012), Jogja Agro Pop (2011), Indonesian Disjunction (2009), Utopia Negativa (2008), Jawa Baru (2008) and others.