Yogie Achmad Ginanjar’s Absorption 7  (Courtesy of Yogie Achmad Ginanjar)

The Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF) has again released the names of its top 30 finalists, which include two Indonesian artists vying for the Sovereign Asian Art Prize.

Held annually, the Sovereign Asian Art Prize (SAF) invites mid-career contemporary artists for a competition that has enjoyed increased recognition.

SAF was established in 2003 with the objective of enhancing the quality of contemporary art in the region and to benefit its aid program for underprivileged children. Since 2013, this has included children with special educational needs.

The 13th edition of the SAF includes two Indonesian artists on its list of top 30 finalists, namely Yogie Achmad Ginanjar and Uji Handoko “Hahan” Eko Saputro.

They were selected from more than 530 entries by a total of 66 independent art professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region.

The judging panel for this year’s prize has undergone some changes. While noted writer and curator David Elliott continues to direct the panel, new members this year comprise Alexandra A. Seno, head of development at Asia Art Archive in Hong Kong; Jim Supangkat, Indonesia’s noted art critic and curator; Michael Snelling, former director and chief executive of the National Art School, Sydney; and Chinese new-media artist Miao Xiaochun.

On April 19 to 21, all shortlisted artworks will be shown in The James Christie Room at Christie’s auction house in Hong Kong. Then, from April 25 to May 4, they will be exhibited at The Rotunda, Exchange Square, where the public can cast a vote for the Public Vote Prize. Votes will also be accepted via the SAF web gallery and Facebook page.

The grand prize of US$30,000 for first place, as well as the Public Vote Prize of $1,000, will be announced at The Sovereign Asian Art Prize Gala Dinner and Auction on May 5 at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. Here, shortlisted artworks will be auctioned and proceeds split evenly between the artists and SAF’s charitable projects.

Stronger and Harder by Uji Handoko “Hahan” Eko Saputro (Courtesy of Uji Handoko Eko Saputro)

As in previous years, selected Indonesian artists will tackle actual issues that have local and international implications.

Yogie’s oil on canvas painting Absorption 7, for instance, deals with the impact of overwhelming media publication on Islam-related terrorism and violence. His painting featuring a punk rocker entering a mosque, relates to his personal experience.

Brought up with modern and liberal values, the 33-year-old artist said he felt an inner tension, which drove him to explore the verity of the general public and social media’s portrayal of Islam as the cause of terrorism and violence.  

Hesitantly, he entered a Quranic prayer group for the first time, and was surprised to find the antithesis to these negative portrayals.

“I came to understand that one has to be smart in reading the various ‘bad’ reporting [on Islam]; one has to be relaxed, like the punk rocker with his barrier-breaking music,” he explained.

Hahan’s entry, meanwhile, relates to growing materialism and commercialism of art in the present. Marked by a mix of blown-up comics, punk and street art, the 34-year-old’s works are usually infused with semi-satirical elements mocking the current state of hypocrisy and art commercial drives.

His work for the Sovereign Prize contestation, titled Stronger and Harder 110, still reveals that mix, while his juxtaposition between dollar signs and a prayer mat is a clear comment on hypocritical forces in today’s life.

Yet, instead of “loud” critique, the beautiful prayer mat has acquired an almost meditative quality, which is reinforced by the work’s added embroidery.

For both Yogie and Hahan, this is their second time on the event’s top 30 nominations list.