Canberra | Contemporary Worlds Indonesia exhibition

Image in white of woman with bow and arrow

Featuring recent works and large-scale commissions, Contemporary Worlds: Indonesia explores the vibrant and complex art of Australia’s closest neighbour in the turbulent post-Reformasi era: the fall of the Suharto regime through to the present day. The exhibition runs at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra from 21 June - 27 October 2019.

This major exhibition of contemporary Indonesian art will showcase 20 of the most exciting emerging and established artists from Bali and Java’s key artistic centres of Bandung, Yogyakarta and Jakarta.

Through a striking variety of artistic approaches,Contemporary Worlds: Indonesia reflects the social and political changes negotiated by Indonesia over the past 20 years. Three generations of artists explore concepts ranging from sexuality, gender roles and family, to environmental concerns, the art market, material and form, the everyday object and how we might listen to and learn from the sounds of Indonesia.

The exhibition includes painting, sculpture, installation, moving image, photography and textile, and features a performance program and a film series curated by renowned Indonesian film director Garin Nugroho.

This major exhibition will be accompanied by a series of special events including artist talks and a film program.

Key dates

Exhibition dates, Canberra, 21 June 2019 to 27 October 2019

Exhibition opening, Canberra, 20 June 2019 to 20 June 2019

Artists' talks, Canberra, 20 August 2019 to 27 October 2019

Image: Melati Suryodarmo Transaction of hollows 2016, durational performance including bow, 800 arrows and costume; single-channel video: 14:45 minutes, colour, sound, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Purchased 2019, The performance was first performed at and produced by Lilith Performance Studio, Malmö, Sweden (19 – 22 October 2016), © Melati Suryodarmo