For as long as I remember, the answer to this question remains the same: making art. As someone with a strong tendency towards introversion, I knew early on that verbal communication is simply not my forte. Ever since I was a child, visual art has always been the language I am most fluent in and comfortable with. I am blessed to have parents who never seemed to mind that the walls of ther home were covered win crayon doodles. Until now I still bring a sketchbook with me everywhere and I simply cannot imagine an alternative to this habit. I am aware that I cannot always expect everybody to understand me through paintings, but expressing myself with a stroke of a brush proves to be cathartic.
That being said, it is true that my works contain a set of idioms that are very personal to me. I have always found it easier to pick up inspirations from my past experiences as it helps me approach my paintings with a sense of truth. My works are like a mirror in which I see a reflection of myself. Very often it is where I would criticize the undoing of my past self as well as impart some hopes to my future self.
Still, at the same time, I enjoy challenging myself to create works that can trigger an emotional response from other people. That is why I leave cues and symbolisms, as a conversation starter. Everyone has their own interpretations and I love it when people attempt to decipher the perplexing images. All of this is part of the human experience that affects the concept and visual aspects of my works.
My style evolves in line with my experiences, references, and environment. However the iconography remains the same: little children, pop culture icons, mythological creatures, panoramic natural landscape, dreamlike scenes - in short, pop surrealism.
Pop surrealism, with its contradictions and absurdities continue to be my approach towards harmonious balance. I suppose, I am now at this point in my career where can safely assume certain trademarks - or forces - in my works. Pop surrealism as the visual genre and personal reflections as the object of my artistic pursuit.
Roby Dwi Antono was born in 1990. He lives and works in Yogyakarta, lndonesia.
Solo Exhibitions
2024
'TUK', Almine Rech London, UK
2023
'Roby Dwi Antono: Prints Online', Baldwin Contemporary
'That Peculiar', Almine Rech, Brussels, Belgium
2022
'Roby Dwi Antono: Samantha', Anat Ebgi, Los Angeles, US
'The Wall: Roby Dwi Antono', Almine Rech, Brussels, Belgium
'Roby Dwi Antono', Lougher Contemporary, Bristol, UK
'POPULAR', Villazan, Madrid, Spain
'Rumpus'. Nanzuka Underground, Tokyo, Japan
Taipei Dangdai. Dopeness Art Lab, Taipei, Taiwan
2021
'Epos'. Thinkspace, LA, California, US
'Lucid Fragmen't. Srisasanti Gallery, Yogyakarta, lndonesia
2016
'Southern Monster, Northern Child'. Galerie Stephanie, Manila, Philippines
2015
'Januari di Utara'. Srisasanti Gallery, Pacifie Place Jakarta, lndonesia
2012
'The Way Of Grace'. Srisasanti Gallery, Pacifie Place Jakarta, lndonesia, lmajinasi. Tirana Artspace, Yogyakarta, lndonesia
Group Exhibitions
2024
'Symphony of Coexistence. Chinese and Southeast Asian Art Invitational Exhibition', Sichuan Art Museum, Cheng Du Shi, China
'Art in Life, Life in Art', D Museum, Seoul, South Korea
2023
'The November Edit', Baldwin Contemporary, London, UK
'Sculptures & Multiples', Lougher Contemporary, Bristol, US
'Works Under 10,000 GBP', GSAA, London, UK
'Accessible Collecting', Calder Contemporary Limited, London, UK
'New In for the New year', Lugher Contemporary, Bristol, UK
2022
'Come As You Are', Anthony Gallery, Chicago, US
'Last Look - Red Dot', Booth 111, Art Basel 2022, End to End Gallery, Basel, Switzerland
'All Treats, No Tricks!', End to End Gallery, Hollywood, US
'Inside the Pictures', End to End Gallery, Hollywood, US
'PE Prints & Editions', Leonards Art, London, UK
'Mickey Mause Now and Future.' Nanzuka Undergorund, Osaka, Japan
Art Basel Hong Kong. Nanzuka Underground, Hong Kong
Can Art Fair Ibiza. Nanzuka Underground, Spain
2021
Art Basel Miami Beach. Nanzuka Underground, Florida, USA
Art Taipei. Dopeness Art Lab, Taipei, Taiwan
'Ethereal'. Volery Gallery, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
'Universes 4'. Galerie Droste, Paris, France
'London's Burning.' Ramp Gallery, London, UK
'Around the World, Around the World.' WOAW Gallery, Central, Hong Kong, China
'Summer Summer.' Ross+Kramer Gallery, East Hampton, US
Art Osaka. Nanzuka Underground, Osaka, Japan
'WOP. WOAW' Gallery in collaboration with Avant Arte, Central, Hong Kong, China
Art Basel HK. Nanzuka Underground, Hong Kong, China
Nice Guy Live Forever. Moosey Art, London
2020
'My Own Universe', Padre Gallery. New York, US
'ACSK VII', Corey Helford Gallery. Los Ageles, US
'Allegory of Painting', WOAW Gallery. Hong Kong, China
'Midnight Garden', Modern Eden Gallery. San Fransico, US
'DRAWN TOGETHER', Unit London. London, UK.
'15 Years of Thinkspace', Thinkspace Gallery. Culver City, US
2019
'Scope Miami'. Thinkspace Gallery, Miami Beach, US
Moniker Artfair 2019. Thinkspace Gallery, London, UK
'Art ls Where The Heart ls Vol.6. 'Galerie Droste, Paris, France
'Just Art'. Galerie Geraldine Zberro, Paris, France
Discovery Art Fair Frankfurt 'To See For Oneself'. Galerie Stephanie, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
'Within the Garden of Earthly Delights.' Outre Gallery, Melbourne, Australia
2018
Art Jakarta. Kohesi Initiatives, Jakarta, lndonesia
Art Fair Tokyo. Galerie Stephanie. Tokyo, Japan
Art Fair Philippines. Galerie Stephanie. Ayala Ave, Philippines
'Criminal Lullabies'. Stephanie Galerie, Manila, Philippines
2017
'Walden Revisited'. Galerie Stephanie, Manila, Philippines
Art Fair Philippines. Galerie Stephanie. Makati City, Philippines
Art Stage Jakarta. Semarang Gallery, Jakarta, lndonesia
Art Jakarta. Srisasanti Gallery, Pacific Place Jakarta, lndonesia
Biennale Jogja. Jogja National Museum, Yogyakarta, lndonesia
2016
Art Taipei. G13 Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan.
Art Stage Jakarta. Srisasanti Gallery, Jakarta, lndonesia
Tokyo Art Fair 2016. Galerie Stephanie, Tokyo, Japan
Art Stage Singapore 2016. Art Season, Singapore
2015
'Muse in Odyssey'. Srisasanti Gallery, Yogyakarta, lndonesia
'6 X 6'. Auguste Clown Gallery, Melbourne, Australia
'NIGHTMARE IN THE WONDERLAND'. Rotofugi Gallery, California, US
2014
'NEO-ICONOCLAST'. Langgeng Gallery, Magelang, lndonesia
2013
Bazaar Art Jakarta. Srisasanti Gallery, Jakarta, lndonesia
'The Big Small Show'. Art Seasons Gallery, Singapore
'Maritim Culture'. ART JOG 13, Yogyakarta, lndonesia.
