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 snort, 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
2022
Rumpus. Nanzuka Underground, Tokyo, Japan
Taipei Dangdai. Dopeness Art Lab, Taipei
2021
Epos. Thinkspace, LA, California
Lucid Fragment. 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
2022
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, UAE
Universes 4. Galerie Droste, Paris, France
London's Burning. Ramp Gallery, London, UK
Around the World, Around the World. WOAW Gallery, Central, HK
Summer Summer. Ross+Kramer Gallery, East Hampton, NY
Art Osaka. Nanzuka Underground, Osaka, Japan
WOP. WOAW Gallery in collaboration with Avant Arte, Central, HK
Art Basel HK. Nanzuka Underground, HK
Nice Guy Live Forever. Moosey Art, London
2020
My Own Universe, Padre Gallery. New York, USA.
ACSK VII, Corey Helford Gallery. Los Ageles, CA.
Allegory of Painting, WOAW Gallery. Hong Kong
Midnight Garden, Modern Eden Gallery. San Fransico, CA.
'DRAWN TOGETHER', Unit London. London, UK.
15 Years of Thinkspace, Thinkspace Gallery. Culver City, CA.
2019
Scope Miami. Thinkspace Gallery, Miami Beach, USA
Moniker Artfair 2019. Thinkspace Gallery, London, England
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, USA
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.
