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Taufik Ermas
Born 1984 in Bukit Tinggi, Sumatra, Indonesia
The dialectic of space is central to the current body of work by Indonesian artist Taufik Ermas whose artistic practice is almost equally divided between painting and sculpture. His current body of work combines both elements, utilizing physical negative space as key components of the visual conversations the artist engages with the viewer through his works, on levels that are both metaphysical and psychological.
In 2006, Taufik almost lost his life in the tragic earthquake that shook the city of Yogyakarta, where he lives and works. He was rescued from the rubble in which he was trapped when the structure he was in collapsed. The experience of being trapped within treacherously constricted space during his ordeal, not knowing whether he would survive, has become an important driver in the development of his work.
The trauma of this ordeal is something Taufik continues to grapple with today, 12 years after his near-death experience. It has led him to reevaluate his outlook to life, and in relation to this, his approach to art.
Human silhouettes that outline the blank three-dimensional spaces in his sculptural paintings are symbolic of Taufik’s representation of the constant human quest to seek answers about ourselves, and our place in this world. The emptiness and void in his works are reflections of our own feelings of being incomplete, as we struggle with questions about our true purpose.
The aesthetic strength of Taufik’s works is among the key reasons why he was selected as one of the two installation artists for the 2017 edition of Bakaba, the annual Padang artist showcase held as part of Jogja Art Weeks, during the month-long period surrounding ArtJog in Yogyakarta.
As an artist, Taufik continues to experiment and explore new forms his artwork might take. Many years on, his traumatic experience of 2006 continues to haunt his soul, and continues to be the creative well springing forth ideas that eventually manifest themselves in his art..
Education
Bachelor of Fine Art, Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI), Yogyakarta
Awards
2020
Finalist, The Sovereign Asian Art Prize, The Sovereign Foundation, Hong Kong
2010
Finalist, Indonesia Art Awards
2007
Finalist, artmosphere Academic Art Award
Solo Exhibitions
2018
Bohemian Poetry, Bale Banjar, Sankring Art Space, Yogyakarta, Indonesia (mini solo, Peaceful Seeker #2 project)
2015
Triple-Solo: Desrat Fianda, Wahyu Widyardini & Taufik Ermas, Sangking Art Project, Yogyakarta, Indonesia (curated by Sudjud Dartanto)
2009
Eksplorasi Ruang, Galeri Katamsi, Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI), Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Group Exhibitions
2020
OPPO Art Jakarta Virtual 2020, Online virtual art fair, via https://artjakarta.com/ (with Artemis Art)
Yogya Annual Art #5 – Hybridity, Bale Banjar Sangkring, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2020 Sovereign Asian Art Prize Finalist Exhibition, K11 Atelier King’s Road, Hong Kong
Roots #1, Bilai Art Space, Sarang Complex Building 2, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Art Fair Philippines 2020, The Link, Ayala Center, Makati, Philippines (with Artemis Art – a sold-out showing for the artist)
2019
Tread to the Future, SMSR Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Greng – Celebration of Widayat 100 Years, Museum & Tanah Liat (in collaboration with SICA), Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Xavier Art Fest 2019, Xavier School, San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines (with Artemis Art)
Tambo #4 Sipangka, Auditorium Bung Hatta, Bukittinggi, Indonesia
Art Jakarta 2019, Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Indonesia (with Artemis Art)
Bebas, Sakato Art Community at Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Art Taichung 2019, Millennium Hotel, Taichung, Taiwan (with Artemis Art)
Hangzhou Art Fair 2019, Hangzhou International Expo Centre, Hangzhou, China (with Artemis Art)
80 tahun nan ampuh – Tribute to OHD, Syang Art Space, Magelang, Indonesia
Antara Surau dan Rantau, After Mooi Indie #3, R.J. Katamsi Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
E. A. S, Luxor Hall Pyramyd, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2018
Composing Equator, Donna Art & Consulting, Taipei, Taiwan
Celebration of the Future, AB.BC Building, Nusa Dua Bali, Indonesia
PLUS, Sakato Art Community at Nadi Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
Prisoner of Hope, SPEKTRUM 100 Years Hendra Gunawan, Ciputra Artpreneur, Jakarta, Indonesia
Art Jakarta 2018, Ritz-Carlton Jakarta Pacific Place, Jakarta, Indonesia (with Artemis Art)
Bakaba #7: Zaman NOW, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Bromance, After Mooi Indie #2, R.J. Katamsi Gallery, Institut Seni Indonesia, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Ping Project #4, Studio Aruna Yunizar, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Peaceful Seeker #1, Tony Raka Gallery, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Bricolage, Sakato Art Community, in collaboration with D Gallerie, Jakarta, Indonesia
2017
Bakaba #6: indONEsia, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Yogya Annual Art #2: Bergerak, Bale Banjar Sangkring, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Deepest Imagination, Raintree Boutique Villa & Gallery House, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
In-Material, Ruang Dalam Art House, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2015
Sequence, Nuart Sculpture Park, Bandung, Indonesia
Bakaba #4: Randang dan Rendang, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Archive, Yogyakarta Open Studio 15, PartNER, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2014
Hospitally, Berlin Open Studio 14, Studio Fendry Ekel, Berlin, Germany
International Relation, Yogyakarta Open Studio #2, PartNER, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Versi: Sculpture Triennial Exhibition, Galeri Nasional, Jakarta, Indonesia
Tanda Mata X: Collection Show of Bentara Budaya, Bentara Budaya, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Bakaba # 3, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Pandora Box #2, Office For Contemporary Art (OFCA) International, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Manifesto #4, Galeri Nasional, Jakarta, Indonesia
2013
Peta Pergaulan, Yogyakarta Open Studio #1, PartNER Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Silaturahmi #2, Bentara Budaya, Jakarta, Indonesia
Pandora Box #1, Office For Contemporary Art (OFCA) International, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Fragments of Lie (Duo Show Desrat Fianda & Taufik Ermas), Bentara Budaya, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2012
Agitasi Garuda, Team SAYASUKA, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Bakaba #2: Antara Pintu Dan Halaman, Sangkring Art Space, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2011
Art Stage Singapore, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Jakarta Biennale #14: Maximum City, Galeri Nasional, Jakarta, Indonesia
2010
Bakaba #1, Jogja National Museum, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Green Carnival, Pacific Place, Jakarta, Indonesia
Meringkus Tubuh, Edwin’s Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
Indonesia Art Award, Galeri Nasional, Jakarta, Indonesia
Magainin, Jakarta Art District, Grand Indonesia Mall, Jakarta, Indonesia
Korea International Art Fair, Seoul, Korea
Akhir Tahun EG-JAD, Grand Indonesia Mall, Jakarta, Indonesia
2009
Trap[esium], Edwin’s Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
Antara Nama dan Nama, Jogja National Museum, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Palais Project, Palais Breuner, Singerstraβe 16, A-1010, Vienna, Austria
C-Art Show, Grand Indonesia Mall, Jakarta, Indonesia
Reach Art Project!: Act One, Edwin’s Gallery-Plaza Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
Bazaar Art Jakarta, Ritz-Carlton Pacific Place, Jakarta, Indonesia
Reality Bites: 25th Anniversary of Edwin’s Gallery, Edwin’sGallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
Kaba Rang Rantau, EGO Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
Komedi Putar, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Survey, Edwin’s Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
Innerscape, Edwin’s Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
Family Life, Taman Budaya, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Perversion, Puri Art Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
2007
Ride The Light, Team SAYASUKA, Parkir Space, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Have Fun, Team SAYASUKA, Taman Budaya Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Artmosphere Academic, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2006
Jalin Bapilin, Benteng Vredeburg, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2005
Gotri 03, Benteng Vredeburg, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
ETC, with Group Getar, Putri Gallery, Padang, Indonesia
Environmental Art, Bebeng, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Residency Experience
2018
GLO’ART Global Art Center, Lanaken, Belgium
2016
GLO’ART Global Art Center, Lanaken, Belgium
Nuart Sculpture Park, Bandung, Indonesia
Click on the thumbnails below to view full image and artwork details
Taufik Ermas shares some insights into the philosophy behind his artwork, plus a brief look at the process used in creating his latest series of works.