Urban Dialogues: Urban Dialogues

P.T Jakarta Land and ISA Art & Design presents an urban art exhibition featuring the works of three Indonesian Urban artists. 'Urban Dialogues' showcases the works of Talitha Maranila, Muchlis Fachri (Muklay) and Ronald Apriyan who are prominent names in the face of Indonesian urban art. Their works have appeared in multiple places in the public realm, which therefore has gained their significant prominance with the popular culture and mass audiences. Curated by ISA Art & Design, the exhibition runs from the 21st of October 2019 until the 11th of January 2019.

Curatorial Note

'Urban Art' has been dynamically blurred and redefined through multiple generations since it's first rise in the 1970's - 1980's.  The founding fathers of this genre are artist such as Keith Haring and Banksy. Graffiti, stencils, prints and public site-specific murals, large-scale paintings and projects of artistic collaboration, to street installations, as well as performative and video art take the form of street art. The art practice had only found its recognition as a legitimate form of artistic expression at the beginning of the 21st century.  However, gaining legitimacy of the art practice was not quite a subtle and peaceful journey into the public retrospective. During the 1920's - 1930's street art  was a form for rebellious expression by gangs to rebel in communities, taking the form of vandalism on public transport and buildings.  But eventually, the practice started gaining recognition by art museums, galleries and communities and has since evolved into new and innovative creative productions.

Urban Dialogues explore the works of 3 Indonesian artists who have taken their elements of street art and urban art practices into new light and perspectives. Talitha Maranila explores spirituality and the human interconnection to their surroundings, may it be natural, spiritual or urban. Conversely Muklay is highly influenced by western symbolisms that he integrates into vibrant illustrations. Ronald Apriyan mixes elements of graffiti with playful characters that expresses intentionally wry humor throughout his paintings. The liberality of their artistic technicalities creates a unifying theme. Their established artistic identity has resulted in substantial recognition in the public realm through their commissioned works and murals.