foreword Vallette Gallery represents a spectrum of Malaysian and International artists in paintings, sculptures, photography and installation art. Currently with our own space in Malaysia, our gallery is looking forward to building a trusting, strong relationship between artists and art lovers.
in 2021. The nine large-scale paintings in this exhibition are part of Bob’s recent production, having been created between 2010 to 2019. In them, the artist approaches current postcolonial, social and political subjects, as well as personal experiences, among others.
At our gallery, we encourage creative excellence by providing the environment for communication, expertise-sharing and mentoring within the community of artists. With a minimum of five exhibitions a year, the gallery works to promote artists and their incredible artworks.
“What I like about his works is that they are provocative, but done without provocation. It is not intended to be so, though it comes through from him trying to express himself — how he thinks, how he communicates … there is a lot of intensity and significant elements that he has continuously explored throughout the evolution of his creations. Out of the pain, there is bliss. There are still beautiful faces and moments at every turns of the life; paint exists as a beautiful language through the vibrating colors and melodious compositions of his paintings.
Vallette Gallery also aims to offer a ground breaking forum for the contemporary art, presenting works of emerging young artists or international artists whose works are rarely or yet to be shown. The viewers of contemporary art exhibitions have increased greatly in recent years as general responsiveness and attention to contemporary art have advanced both in Malaysia and overseas. As a result, we work closely with a strong network of curators, art collectors and institutions from all over the world. Vallette Gallery is no ordinary place for the display of artwork; it is a living process and relationship between the artists and the art lovers, which creates and increases the value of art. After the first Solo Exhibition, “SICK, An Exploration of the Human Condition”, in 2019, we are honoured to bring this great artist’s works back to our gallery
« At the same time, there is a sense of resilience. » Patrice Vallette Director - curator
I believe I can fly, with paint I believe can fly. Dont worry, be happy. Nothing needed to be worried to paint...... I believe life is beautiful - bob yudhita -
Toward decolonial art.... Bob Yudhita is a multidisciplinary artist who, in addition to his paintings, for which he is particularly well known, also creates sculptures and reliefs on current political, social and environmental issues, among others. His career began in 1991, when he entered the Indonesia Institute of The Arts of Yogyakarta (ISI), known as the heart of artistic creation in Indonesia for having trained great artists of the international scene, including Entang Wiharso, Siti Adiyati, S. Teddy D., EddiE haRA and Heri Dono. This last one, besides being a world reference in contemporary art, has as well played a certain role of mentor for Bob. Yudhita was born on 26th May 1971, in the middle of Suharto dictatorship (1967 1998). This military regime, supported economically and diplomatically by Western countries during the Cold War, committed serious Human Rights violations, including attacks on the rights of ethnic minorities, massacres of people associated with left-wing political ideologies, especially communists, and numerous war crimes in East Timor, Aceh, Papua and the Moluccas. Moreover, according to Transparency International, Suharto was the most corrupt leader in modern history. In opposition to this horrible period, Bob defines himself personally and professionally as a communist and existentialist, among others. Thus, in his works it is common to observe animals, monstrous creatures and faces deformed by pain showing their teeth, among which weapons and even human remains torn to pieces. Sometimes, Bob adds words or phrases such as "soldier side", "psycho war" and "head" that emphasise the idea of a massacre as a consequence of the wars provoked by human beings. In this way, Bob seeks to criticise and hold responsible the perpetrators of these wars, many of whom have not even
been tried, and to denounce the absurdity of war that turns us into monsters, tearing our bodies and souls to pieces. The artist's activism continues in his advocacy for the rights of minorities, especially ethnic minorities. Indonesia has around 300 ethnic groups, with a vast linguistic, cultural and religious wealth. However, for centuries these people, now united under one national identity, were exploited along with their natural resources during the colonial era and later during the dictatorial period. Bob, in some of his paintings, enhances these long-forgotten cultures by reinterpreting well-known tales and legends where the protagonists are now people with racialised features. Hence, Yudhita is part of the artistic and social movement of new internalism, which seeks to break with Western hegemony and paternalism, both in art and in life in general. Thus, from Vallette Gallery, and following this concern, we do not seek to compare the work of Bob Yudhita with internationally renowned Western artists, but simply to value the work of this artist, which stands on its own weight. Some critics and art historians see in the artwork of this artist, Bob ‘Sick’ Yudhita Agung, a Statement that expresses a sense of social awareness in with the viewer get engage. However, Bob aim goes even further and he seeks to overcome the adversity in which we live. Thus, his works, vibrant with energy, become a source of resilience. I believe I can fly, with paint I believe can fly. Don't worry, be happy. Nothing needed to be worried to paint...... I believe life is beautiful, is Bob’s favourite refrain.
Untitled Acrylic on canvas 180 cm x 130 cm Bob Sick Yudhita Agung, 2019
Untitled Acrylic on canvas 180 cm x 130 cm Bob Sick Yudhita Agung, 2019
Untitled Acrylic on canvas 199 cm x 145 cm Bob Sick Yudhita Agung, 2019
Higway to heaven Acrylic on canvas 180 cm x 300 cm Bob Sick Yudhita Agung, 2018
Religius Para Sufi para nabi Acrylic on canvas 180 cm x 180 cm Bob Sick Yudhita Agung, 2018
My live save me Oil And Acrylic on Belgium Linen, 200 x 180 cm Bob Sick Yudhita Agung, 2010
aladin night MMOC, 180 x 195 cm, Bob Sick Yudhita Agung, 2010
in my heart MMOC, 209 x135 cm, Bob Sick Yudhita Agung, 2011
Arabian prince MMOC, 180 cm x 150 cm Bob Sick Yudhita Agung, 2011
Awards 1994 Affandi Prize 1991 The Best Sketch Class’91, Indonesia Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 1987 - 1991 15 times winner of the student painting competition in Yogyakarta.
Solo Exhibition 2019 Sick, An Exploration of the Human Condition, Vallette Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2012 I’m a Living Legend, Srisasanti Gallery, Yogyakarta & Galeri Nasional Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia. 2010 Bobvarium, Srisasanti Arthouse, Jakarta, Indonesia. 2008 Life is Beautiful, Sin Sin Fine Art, Hong Kong. Sick Project, Galeri Semarang, Semarang,Indonesia. 2007 Happy Birthday NIN, Jogja National Museum, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 2005 New Kid on the Block, Museum dan Tanah Liat, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 2004 Di Bawah Pohon Ketepang Di Atas Springbed, Kedai Kebun Forum, Yogyakarta,Indonesia. 2002 Aku Cinta Bapakku, LIP Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 2001 Sick Is Bliss, Kedai Kebun Forum, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 2000 Meraih Kemenangan, Millenium Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Acknowledgment The artist wishes to acknowledge the assistance of the following individuals in the realization of this project: Director & Curator : Patrice Vallette Assistance Curator : Jasone Arrausi Designer & Project Coordinator : Arif Hassan
Publisher Vallette Gallery 8, Lorong Kemaris 5, Bukit Bandaraya, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia +60 19 301 2569 info@vallettegallery.com www.vallettegallery.com This catalog is published in conjuction with the “Toward Decolonial Art” Virtual Exhibition at the Vallette Gallery official website, from May 8th until June 6th 2021 Copyright © Vallette Gallery 2021 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the publisher.