I write to you with open arms and a heart brimming with excitement, inviting you to join me on a spirited and meaningful journey through the art world. I wish to share with you a sincere guide on how I navigate the realms of the art world, by trusting my instincts, embracing my uniqueness, accepting my fate and also harnessing my skills in harvesting local knowledge into captivating subjects for international audiences.
Throughout my practice, I have embraced the richness of my heritage, delving deep into its reservoir of symbols, folklore, and traditions while maintaining a grip on my working-class reality that has shaped my outlook and production. It is from this wellspring of inspiration that I offer to you a series of plastic signboards inspired by my personal experiences painting a path of resilience, determination, and an unyielding spirit.
Let us exchange ideas, transcend borders and enrich our collective tapestry of humanity. I invite you to immerse yourselves in the language of symbols and communication, with each plastic signboard serving as a beacon of cultural exchange and unity. Together, let us navigate the art world with a shared spirit of excitement and exploitation, breaking down barriers, and celebrating the extraordinary diversity that makes us who we are.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Izat ArifKuala Lumpur, June 2023
1
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Tuhan Tolonglah)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 25 ∑ 47 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
2
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Ancestors)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 40 ∑ 30 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
3
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Leave It All Behind)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 30 ∑ 20 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
4
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Validation Please)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic,
30 ∑ 17 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
5
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Pillars)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic,
40 ∑ 40 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
6
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Duty Free Champagne Tastes Like Cockroach)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 30 ∑ 37 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
7
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Cum N Enjoi)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 38 ∑ 33 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
8
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Don’t Forget Your Mother Tongue)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 40 ∑ 24 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
9
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Anything Else?)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 20 ∑ 20 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal
(Iblis Will Appear As A Black Snake In Dreams) 2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 38 ∑
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Clouds)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 48 ∑ 20 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
12
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (For Sale)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 50 ∑ 40 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
13
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Token Artist)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 35 ∑ 35 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
14
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Artist Bio)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 20 ∑ 20 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
15
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Merlimau)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 40 ∑ 50 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
16
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Hakikat)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 20 ∑ 70 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
17
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (I’m Sorry, So So Sorry To Hear That)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 38 ∑ 28 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
18
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Retirement Plans 1)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 30 ∑ 25 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Shortcut 4 U)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 30 ∑ 35 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
20
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Retirement Plans 2)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 42 ∑ 42 ∑ 4 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
Citarasa Internasional & Selera Lokal (Tabung)
2023, enamel paint on engraved acrylic, 25 ∑ 25 ∑ 25 cm
Edition of 3 + 2 AP
Izat Arif (b. 1986) is an artist based in Kuala Lumpur whose works range from drawings and installations to videos and objects. In Izat’s work, power structures are given their own personal identities, with him cheekily role-playing characters of our puppet masters in property development, bureaucracy, and art criticism. His approach is often journalistic, where satire is fused with a responsive leaping between different subjects that speak to current revelations in popular media and culture.
In recent years, Izat’s concerns have broadened to include not only the actions and excesses of those involved in the production of power but equally to those who give weight to their claims. His predominant material focus on linoleum sheet a cheap vinyl material for interior furnishing with prints that imitate more luxurious surfaces challenges his viewer’s positions, aspirations or complicities in the perpetration of power; tapping into everyday material and topics as a way to engage more deeply with the spectrum of involvement.
Recent solo exhibitions by Izat include Gentle Reminders, Richard Koh Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2020); Kenangan itu, hanya mainan bagimu… , Mutual Aid Projects, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2020) and Semangat Kejiranan, Everybody Loves Good Neighbours , The Vitrine, NTU CCA, Singapore (2018). Selected group exhibitions include Travel Agency , presented by A+ Works of Art, HeluTrans ArtSpace, Singapore (2022); Fragmenting Yesterday, Reshaping Tomorrow , ICAD, Jakarta (2022); Locating Malaysian Contemporary Art: The Echo Boomers , Richard Koh Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2020); and Domestic Bliss, Pollination , co-developed with The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre Vietnam, Ilham Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2019). In 2022, Izat was a recipient of the ACME-Khazanah Artist Residency in London.
Golongan – golongan
2023
Variable dimensions
9 sculptures
Plastic figurines, epoxy clay, resin, acrylic paint, waterslide decal, plywood, and enamel paint.
Golongan – golonga n is an installation consisting of nine miniature figures of the working class. Taking urban life as their setting, these works reflect on the strategies employed by working-class individuals to survive, gain office and popularity, and other such urban obsessions. Some of the strategies referenced include working in specific agencies, joining community organisations (organisasi masyarakat) and sports communities.
Wiyoga is interested in describing the hierarchy among the working class through the clothing and gestures represented by each miniature figure.
Golongan – golongan (figure 1)
2023
Plastic figurine, stainless steel rod, pigmented resin
85.5 ∑ 16 ∑ 16 cm
Golongan – golongan (figure 2)
2023 Plastic figurine, epoxy clay, acrylic paint, water slide decal & painted resin
13 ∑ 12 ∑ 12 cm
Golongan – golongan (figure 3)
2023
Plastic figurine, epoxy clay, acrylic paint, water slide decal & painted resin
14 ∑ 13.5 ∑ 7.5 cm
Golongan – golongan (figure 4)
2023
Plastic figurine, epoxy clay, acrylic paint, waterslide decal & pigmented resin
55 ∑ 30 ∑ 46 cm
Golongan – golongan (figure 5)
2023
Plastic figurine, epoxy clay, acrylic paint, waterslide decal, automotive paint & pvc sheet.
Golongan – golongan (figure 6)
2023
Plastic figurine, epoxy clay, acrylic paint, water slide decal, painted resin, acrylic paint, enamel paint & automotive paint.
Golongan – golongan (figure 7)
2023
Plastic figurine, epoxy clay, acrylic paint, water slide decal, enamel paint & plywood
36 ∑ 30 ∑ 17 cm
Golongan – golongan (figure 8)
2023
Plastic figurine, epoxy clay, acrylic paint, waterslide decal, pigmented resin & plywood
116
29 cm
Plastic figurine, epoxy putty, pigmented resin and acrylic paint
14.5 ∑ 59 ∑ 23 cm
Wiyoga Muhardanto (b. Jakarta, 1984; lives and works in Bandung, Indonesia) is primarily a sculptor whose works incorporate methods of imitation, simulation and the juxtaposition of daily objects to explore his interest in urban community behaviours. For the past four years his work has focused on exploring issues around social mobility. Muhardanto studied at Bandung Institute of Technology with a major in fine art sculpture studio, 2002–2007 (BFA). He has exhibited his work across South East Asia with his most recent solo exhibitions including Api yang menyambar-nyambar (The Blazing Fire), Omnispace, Bandung, being 3-in-1 , ROH Projects, Jakarta and What If , Art Basel Hong Kong with recent group shows at Taipei Dangdai Young Galleries Sector, Taiwan. Liber Primus , Semarang Contemporary Art Gallery, Central of Java, Indonesia in 2019 and Shared coordinates , The Arts House, Singapore, Art Jakarta 2018, Ritzs Carlton Ballroom, OPEN P.O , Omnispace, Bandung in 2018. He is the co-founder of the art organization, Area Olah Karya and was the Director PLATFORM3, Bandung, Indonesia. His work is in the collection of the Singapore Art Museum.
A+ Works of Art and the artists would like to thank the following individuals for their support and contributions:
IZAT ARIF
would like to thank:
ARTJOG team
A+ Works of Art team
Alvin Lau
Faizkehussein
Theyvapaalan Jayaratnam
Fairuz Sulaiman
Ryan Tang
Amanda Ariawan
Toh Plastik Distributor Sdn Bhd
Yu Point Trading
Ace Hardware
And his love to
Eza and Omar, Fazillah and Saiful
WIYOGA MUHARDANTO
would like to thank:
ARTJOG team
Restu Rafiani
Endan Ridwan
A+ WORKS of ART
d6 - G - 8, d6 Trade Centre
801 Jalan Sentul
51000 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
+60 18 333 3399
info@aplusart.asia
www.aplusart.asia
Instagram/Facebook
@aplusart.asia
Copyright © 2023. A+ WORKS of ART, and the artists. All rights reserved.
All articles and illustrations contained in this catalogue are subject to copyright law. Any use beyond the narrow limited defined by copyright law, and without the express of the publisher, is forbidden and will be prosecuted.
A+ WORKS of ART is a contemporary art gallery based in Kuala Lumpur, with a geographic focus on Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Founded in 2017 by Joshua Lim, the gallery presents a wide range of contemporary practices, from painting to performance, drawing, sculpture, new media art, photography, video and installation. Its exhibitions have showcased diverse themes and approaches, including material experimentation and global conversations on social issues. Collaboration is key to the ethos of A+ WORKS of ART. Since its opening, the gallery has worked with artists, curators, writers, collectors, galleries and partners from within the region and beyond, and continues to look out for new collaborations. The gallery name is a play on striving for distinction but also on the idea that art is never without context and is always reaching to connect it is always “plus” something else.
Artists
Izat Arif
Wiyoga Muhardanto
Editors
Denise Lai
Yvonne Tan
Graphic Designer Kenta.Works
