b. 1973 in Lintau, West Sumatra, Indonesia
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Jumaldi Alfi
Bachelor of Fine Art, Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI), Yogyakarta
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Jumaldi Alfi is arguably one of the most dynamic and influential contemporary artists of his generation in the Indonesian art scene. A painter pur sang, Alfi came to international attention in the late 1990s as one of the founding members of the influential Jendela Art Group, Indonesia’s most prominent contemporary art collective, five artists originally from West Sumatra. Jendela’s focus was on aesthetic and material exploration within a more formalist and personal framework, breaking away from the prevailing fine art conventions of socio-political themes and technical sophistication. This breaking with convention has since earned the group an important place in Indonesian contemporary art history.
Alfi’s works are characterized by his use of personal icons and symbols, depicting spiritual and existential struggles at both the personal and more collective levels. He draws from numerous sources simultaneously; from text to natural empirical objects of the natural world, paintings from bygone eras, and from his own memory. But memory, in Alfi’s case is not synonymous with nostalgia – rather, he utilizes his experience and memory to come to terms with his present reality, and to shape pathways in order to move forward.
He currently lives and works in Yogyakarta, an artist who not only has exhibited extensively in Indonesia and internationally, but one who is committed in generously giving back to the artistic community he belongs to, and that has helped him succeed.
Solo Exhibitions (selected)
2020
Digital Spiritualism, SaRanG Building, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Footnote, SaRanG Building, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2018
Blackboard Paintings, LATAR Art Space, Jakarta, Indonesia
2016
Jumaldi Alfi, Sanata Dharma University Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2014
Myth Sisyphus, Art Basel Hong Kong (with Edwin’s Gallery), Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
Melting Memories/Rereading Landscape, Mooi Indies, Arndt Gallery, Singapore
2013
Jumaldi Alfi’s Blackboard Paintings, Primo Marella Gallery, Milan, Italy
Re-PLAY #3, OFCA International, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2012
Asian One, Art Hong Kong, Hong Kong (with Sin Sin Gallery)
2011
Melting Memories #2, Nadi Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
Nightswimmer, Metis Gallery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Melting Memories, Singapore Tyler Print Institute (STPI), Singapore
2010
Life/Art #101: Never Ending Lesson, Sangkring Art Space, Yogyakarta, Indonesia and Valentine Willie Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2008
Color Guide Series, Nadi Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
2006
Alfi, iPreciation Fine Art Gallery, Singapore
2003
Cover, Centre Culturel Français, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Current Trend, Regent Hotel, Jakarta, Indonesia
2001
Alfi-Lukis, Lontar Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
Derau-Noise, Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
1998
Rekonstruksi, Aikon, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Group Exhibitions (selected)
2021
HERE/THERE – Art Central Hong Kong 2021, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong (with Artemis Art)
KSRJ – Art Basel Hong Kong, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
Twentyfive, Gajah Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Inauguration, Ruang Dini, Bandung, Indonesia
2020
Pause, Rewind, Forward #1, Kiniko Art, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
OPPO Art Jakarta 2020 Virtual, Online via https://artjakarta.com/
(RE) Imagining The Image, Gajah Gallery, SIngapore
ArtJog 2020, Jogja National Museum, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Pameran Amal Covid-19, Various Locations, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Roots #1, Bilai Art Space, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2019
Recent Works, Cult Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mind, Kiniko Art Room, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
80 Nan Ampuh, Kiniko Art Room, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Bebas, Sakato Art Community, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Representasi 3, Pendopo Art Space, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Incumbent, Sangkring Art Space, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Art Jakarta 2019, Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Indonesia (with Rachel Gallery)
2018
Taipei DangDai, Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Taipei, Taiwan (with Roh Project)
Bakaba #7: Zaman Now, Sakato Art Community, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Sketches & Drawing, LATAR Art Space, Jakarta, Indonesia
REDRAW III: UGAHARI, Edwin’s Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
September Art Project #1, Studio Jaring, Malang, Indonesia
Kiniko Art Project, Kiniko Art Management, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Art Jakarta 2018, Ritz-Carlton Jakarta Pacific Place, Jakarta, Indonesia (with Edwin’s Gallery)
Prisoner Of Hope: 100 Years Hendra Gunawan, Ciputra Artpreneur, Jakarta, Indonesia
PostFEst2018, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, Indonesia
2017
Art Stage Singapore 2017, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore (with Nadi Gallery and Edwin’s Gallery)
Written In The Sky, by Honold Fine Art @ Tony Raka Art Gallery, Bali, Indonesia
Alfi, Zakii, Jai, Cult Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Art Stage Jakarta 2017, Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City, Jakarta, Indonesia (with Edwin’s Gallery and Rachel Gallery)
Celebrating Diversity, LATAR Art Space, Jakarta, Indonesia
LINKAGE: 20 Years OHD Museum, OHD Museum, Magelang, Indonesia
Seninjong, Pelataran Djoko Pekik, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Suka Pari Suka, Pelataran Djoko Pekik, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Ping Project #3, Kiniko Art Management, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Bakaba #6: indONEsia, Sakato Art Community @ Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2016
Ritiro, Kayu (curated by Lucie Fontaine), Chicken Church, Magelang, Indonesia and Rumah Wayang Topeng, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Art Taipei 2016, Taipei World Trade Center, Taipei, Taiwan (with Edwin’s Gallery)
Follow the White Cube, by Honold Fine Art @ Bisma Eight, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Bazaar Art Jakarta 2016, Ritz-Carlton Jakarta Pacific Place, Jakarta, Indonesia (with Edwin’s Gallery)
Artists’ Engagement with Art History, YOS: Yogyakarta Open Studio, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Poetical State of Mind: Jumaldi Alfi, Yusra Martunus, Handiwirman Saputra, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Galleries 1 & 2, NAFA Campus, Singapore
South East Asia Triennale Plus, National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
The Sea is Calling, Honold Fine Art @ Bisma Eight, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
The Fundamentals in Art, Part 1: Figure, ARNDT Gallery, Singapore
At the Still Point (curated by Tony Godfrey), Langgeng Art Foundation, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Bakaba #5: Cadiak indak mambuang pandai, Sakato Art Community @ Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Art Basel Hong Kong, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong (with Nadi Gallery)
Redraw II: Discovery, Edwin’s Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
2015
70 Years Republic of Indonesia (curated by Jim Supangkat), National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
Don’t Shoot the Painter (UBS Collection Exhibition), Villa Reale, Galleria d’Arte Moderna, Milan, Italy
Six Degrees of Separation, Canna Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
Pameran Dies Natalis, ISI Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Archive: Yogyakarta Open Studio #3, OFCA International, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Bakaba #4: Randang dan Rendang Sakato Art Community, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Medium of Living (Martell 300 Tricentennaire exhibition), Edwin’s Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
Art Basel Hong Kong, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong (with ARNDT Gallery)
Art Stage Singapore 2015, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore (with ARNDT Gallery)
20+2 Years Anniversary Show, ARNDT Gallery, Singapore
2014
Hospitality, Berlin Open Studio #1, Studio Fendry Ekel, Berlin, Germany
International Relation, Yogyakarta Open Studio #2, OFCA International, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Intersection: Latin America and South East Asian Contemporary, Sangkring Art Space, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Intersection: Latin America and South East Asian Contemporary, Gajah Gallery, Singapore and Galeria Habana, Havana, Cuba
Art Stage Singapore 2014, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore (with ARNDT Gallery)
Pameran Fiesta, Kota Tua, Jakarta, Indonesia
Art Basel Hong Kong, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong (with Nadi Gallery)
Bakaba #3: Kini, Sakato Art Community, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2013
Map of Association, Yogyakarta Open Studio #1, OFCA International, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Forum Cemplang Cemplung: Peristiwa Sebuah Kelas, Sangkring Art Space, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Contemporary Istanbul 2013, Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center, Istanbul, Turkey (with Yavuz Fine Art)
Pameran Seni Rupa di Rumah Warga, 8th Anniversary, Jatiwangi Artfactory, Majalengka, Indonesia
10 Years After, Sin Sin Gallery, Hong Kong
Jiwa Ketok dan Kebangsaan, National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
Non Ekspresi, Taman Budaya Jawa Tengah, Surakarta, Indonesia
Kindred By Choice (with Martin Kippenberger, Fendry Ekel, Andy Warhol, Entang Wiharso and Daniel Richter), ARNDT Gallery, Singapore
ARTJOG|13 – Maritime Culture, Taman Budaya, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Me, Jumaldi Alfi and Heri Dono (Art Basel Hong Kong), Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong (with Edwin’s Gallery)
Prague Biennale 6, Prague, Czech Republic
Art13 London, Grand Hall Olympia, London, United Kingdom (with Primo Marella Gallery)
Art Stage Singapore 2013: Indonesian Pavilion, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore
The Collectors Show: Weight of History, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore
2012
The Window of Jendela, OHD Museum, Magelang, Indonesia
A Sign of Absence, Edwin’s Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
Earthly Evocation, Sin Sin Gallery, Hong Kong, China
Residencies
2010
Singapore Tyler Print Institute (STPI), Singapore – Artist in Residence
Awards
2003
Finalist, 10th Philip Morris Indonesian Art Awards
2009
Finalist, 5th Philip Morris Indonesian Art Awards
Best Painting, Institut Seni Indonesia (Indonesian Institute of the Arts), Yogyakarta, Indonesia
In The Media (selected)
2020
JUMALDI ALFI: PERNAH MISKIN DAN KAYA DALAM SATU HARI – Mojok.co (via YouTube), October 14 2020
Suluk Kesenian Jumaldi Alfi – Langgar.co, September 2 2020
Isolasi dan Kontemplasi Jumaldi Alfi – Dewi Magazine, July 12 2020
Pelukis Jumaldi Alfi jadikan masa pandemi sebagai momen kontemplasi – AntaraNews.com, July 8 2020
#Basri Menyapa : Dialog Diri-Lukisan Alfi – Sugar & Cream, July 7 2020
Jumaldi Alfi Gelar Dialog Bertema Proses Kreatif – Sinar Harapan, July 6 2020
A way with words: Painter Jumaldi Alfi presents solo exhibition in Yogyakarta – The Jakarta Post, January 27 2020
2018
Jumaldi Alfi’s Mooi Indie Mood Boards – Jakarta Globe, August 23 2018
Legacies: Real and Imagined, The Artwork of Adam de Boer and Jumaldi Alfi – NOW! JAKARTA, March 7 2018
Seniman Jumaldi Alfi Gelar Pameran Tunggal pada April 2018 – Bisnis.com, February 13 2018
Seniman Adam de Boer dan Jumaldi Alfi Pajang Karya di Jakarta – Detik.com, February 8 2018
2016
Five Indonesian artists that help us rethink nature – CoBo Social, July 9 2016
2014
Indonesian artist Jumaldi Alfi says bye-bye to the blackboard – The Straits Times, May 19 2014
2010
Provokasi Jumaldi Alfi – Koran Tempo, September 16 2010
2009
What is Indonesian style? Jumaldi Alfi on the art, style and Jogja – interview – Art Radar Asia, November 25 2009
Bibliography (selected)
2013
The Window of Jendela: Handiwirman Saputra, Jumaldi Alfi, Rudi Mantofani, Yunizar, Yusra Martunus
by Ahmad Mashadi, Grace Samboh, Oei Hong Djien, Indah T. Lestari
publisher: OHD Museum, 2013
ISBN: 9786021800225
Jumaldi Alfi: Blackboard Paintings
edited by Astrid Honold
publisher: OFCA International, 2013
ISBN: 9789791450089
2009
Painting Today
by Tony Godfrey
publisher: Phaidon Press, 2009
ISBN: 9780714846316
Public Art Projects / Other Activities of Note (selected)
Jendela Group
Jumaldi Alfi is one of the six artists who formed Kumpulan Seni Rupa Jendela (KSRJ) in 1996. The other members of Jendela are Handiwirman Saputra, M. Irfan, Rudi Mantofani, Yunizar and Yusra Martunus. Jendela is perhaps one of the most important and influential artist groups to have emerged in Yogyakarta, whose members have since made reputable names for themselves both domestically in Indonesia as well as on the international stage.
SaRanG Building Complex (SaRanG)
Founded by Jumaldi Alfi, and open to the public since 2013, the SaRanG Building Complex is an art space and venue consisting of a few buildings. Located in the Kalipakis district of Yogyakarta, SaRanG is Alfi’s contribution towards the growth and nurturing of the Yogyakarta visual art scene, and since its opening has become home to a few important organizations, among them the Office for Contemporary Art (OFCA), pARTner Yogyakarta, and more recently Kiniko Art Management. Since its first establishment, the complex has grown organically over the years, dependent on available resources, dynamic local and international relationships, and sometimes by pure chance. It is a work in progress, continuing to expand both physically and functionally, and no art visit to Yogyakarta would ever be complete without paying SaRanG a visit.