Anis Ekowindu, Puppet vs Director. (Munarsih Sahana)

Jogja Contemporary is currently featuring the artworks of seven visual artists: Agus 'Baqul' Purnomo, Anis Ekowindu, Dedy Sufriadi, Januri, Popok Tri Wahyudi and Seno Andrianto in a joint exhibition, 'Figuring Text, Texting Figure', at Sangkring Art Space in Yogyakarta.

The exhibition is an attempt to explore a kind of invisible force resulting from the lines, text and figures within the works of art created by the seven artists despite their different styles.

Such an attempt was made, according to Jogja Contemporary director Rismilliana Wijayanti, in response to the reality that we are now overwhelmed by the bustle of the media.

'They keep sending us all these unwanted messages and visual garbage in the forms of texts and varieties of images through our computers, televisions and even in the streets,' Rismilliana said.

'The works of art in the joint exhibition can be considered simply a presentation of art forms or a means of contemplating what is currently going on around us if you like,' Rismilliana said. She therefore provided a bench in the middle of the gallery in case visitors would like to spend a longer time in order to grasp the deeper meaning of the works on display.

As a matter of fact, according to Rismilliana, the whole exhibition can be understood as episodes of a story about the world we are living in.

The story begins with Anis Ekowindu's Father and Son Fight (acrylic on canvas, 145 x 145 centimeters).

Seno Andrianto, Don't Let Our Smile Gone. (Munarsih Sahana)The work depicts the dynamic relationship between father and son. Anis shares the canvas with his son Lanar, who assigned images of superheroes popular among children, and Anis himself created an image of the innocent facial expression of his son. In his figurative style, Anis likes to draw the faces of his closest relatives.

Next to Anis' work are a series of realist paintings by Seno Andrianto on his daughter Tjindur that highlights his passion for nationalistic and humanistic issues.

Don't Let Our Smile Gone (mixed media on canvas, 140 x 120 centimeters) showcases the cheerful face of Tjindur wearing a blue raincoat and carrying a sign urging care for children.

Tjindur II (Rain) (mixed media on canvas, 130 x 150 centimeters) and Tjindur III (Harmony) (mixed media on canvas, 130 x 150 centimeters) also features Seno's daughter as the central image.

The expression of a happy and dynamic relationship between parents and children is added to an expression of love for Mother Nature in Dedy Sufriadi's Damai Semesta Alam (The Peace World) (mixed media on canvas, 145 x 200 centimeters), which explores hypertext and abstract forms.

In contrast, artist Januri showcased a number of small sculptures of fiberglass, figures depicting loneliness and pain. He uses bright colors for his sculptures but the tone clearly shows suffering. Tak Mampu Melihat #2 (Unable To See) of fiberglass (33.5 x 20 x 30 centimeters) is a skinny figure crouching while covering his face with both hands.

Anis Ekowindu features his typical humorous and subtle criticism in a realist style in Under the Lovely Mushroom (acrylic on canvas, 145 x 100 centimeters), Termite (acrylic on canvas, 200 x 145 centimeters) and two other works.

There are more figures in suffering in sculptures created by Januri and in three paintings by Popok Tri Wahyudi that look similar to comic books bearing messages and criticism of socio-political issues. Three paintings of Popok's are hanging without frames in order to avoid the look of ordinary paintings.

'Figuring Text, Texting Figure'

April 12 - May 15
Sangkring Art Space
Nitiprayan RT 01, RW 20, Ngestiharjo,
Kasihan Bantul
Yogyakarta 55182
Open Monday to Saturday (10:00 a.m. ' 6:00 p.m.)
Artist Talk on April 22, 2013 (3:00 p.m. ' 5 p.m.)
Phone/Fax: 0274 ' 38 10 32.
www.jogjacontemporary.net