Artist Galih Sakti Explores Spiritualism in Debut Exhibition
Jakarta. Photographs make a good canvas for artist Galih Sakti, who finds his long-lost spiritual light in his debut solo exhibition, "Dimulai Dari Akhir" ("Started From the End"), which opened at Suar Artspace in South Jakarta on Saturday (19/11).
Galih, whose 2015 short film "Nyeker" ("Barefoot") is listed as part of the official selection in several international film festivals, including Cannes, actively explores paintings as an alternative outlet for his creativity. The exhibition, which rolled out a week after Father's Day on Nov. 12, presents 14 of his never-before-seen artworks. He reprinted a collection of portraits that were taken by his late father, professional photographer Anto Soeharjan, and used these photographs as a canvas for his paintings.
Growing up surrounded by numerous displays of Anto's photographs, Galih said his father is an endless source of inspiration. He remembers Anto as someone who was never short of stories in his works.
"I always feel that whenever I am making art, I keep coming back to my father's works as a part of my creative process," he said.
When Anto passed away in 2012, Galih felt the loss of a father figure and his passion in spiritualism. "Dimulai dari Akhir" is one of his efforts to reignite the spiritual light that was once dimmed after his passing. He explores several different media, from canvas, to acrylic and fabric.
The exhibition also marked the first curatorial work by curators Lalitia Apsari and David Irianto, who worked closely with Galih in the past few months. David said, Galih has been taking different approach in his creative process.
"In the beginning, Galih's artworks were quite decorative, but he recently started making abstract paintings," he said.
Galih said he is used to painting real objects, whose level of success is relatively easier to define when compared to the model of his paintings. The switch to abstract painting, Galih said, is his effort to leave his comfort zone.
"The definition of a good painting is hard to define when it comes to abstract paintings, and that's what make the work difficult. I think my education background in design and architecture have shaped the way I think, and this is me trying to transcend all that," he said.
Lalitia said Galih tends to explore his personal experiences while creating art, whether it is his short films, his short stories, or his paintings.
"Seeing that it is his first solo exhibition, we feel it's best for Galih to explore the most personal theme in his artworks, which is his father," she said.
The exhibition ends on Saturday, Nov. 26.
Info:
Suar Artspace
Jalan Lebak Bulus 1 No. 55
West Cilandak, South Jakarta
Opening time: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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