FYI.

This story is over 5 years old.

Entertainment

Embroidered Posters Use Monsters and Aliens to Satirise Indonesian Politics

Zinemaker Eko Nugroho creates vivid cartoons with radical messages.
Eko Nugroho, "Mayoritas di halakan minoritas diharamkan" (2013-2015). All images courtesy of the artist and Art Gallery of NSW

Indonesian artist Eko Nugroho is showing a series of embroidered wall works at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and they look a lot like science fiction movie posters from the 1950s—albeit with some crucial differences.

His solo show, entitled Lost Lot, is exhibiting everything from drawings to paintings, sculptures, comics and embroidery which is inspired by traditional Indonesian theatre called “wayang,” alongside influences from street art and comics. “Lost Lot” is the name of an installation which the artist made from 2013-2015, which offers a look at everyday life and politics in his home of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, where the artist has lived most of his life.

Advertisement

Eko Nugroho, "Permen & politik sama 2 mengandung pemanis buatan" (2013-2015)

The works are chock full of political satire. The large cartoonish typeface on the embroidery spell out phrases in Indonesian, like “Mints and politics both contain artificial sweetener,” “Intelligence is not for deception” and “Let’s be democratic and destroy each other,” in Indonesian.

The artist is also showing floor drawings and his comic work is riddled with imagery of robots, swords and martians from Mars. There are also recurring images of skulls, centipedes and birds with two beaks.

Eko Nugroho, "Kercerdasan bukan untuk mengelabuhi" (2013-2015)

Nugroho's art practice began in 2000, shortly after he graduated from art school. He co-founded a zine with his friends called “Daging tumbuh,” where the goal was to create a space outside of the hierarchy of the art world where young artists could show their art. They also created a collective called “Generation 2000,” after Indonesian president Suharto resigned after the collapse of his dictatorship in 1998. It was around the time of the Post-Suharto era, or the Reformasi, which led to more freedom of speech, greater political debate and more expressive art in Indonesia.

The zine is still ongoing, and several issues from the past 15 years are on view at the show. “He considers the zine to be a kind of research project that allows him to observe and understand what is important to the young generations of Indonesia,” Lisa Catt, assistant curator of international art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, tells The Creators Project. “Attesting to his strong values of community engagement, the zine is now a whole merchandise line that employs local designers and artists and makers.”

Advertisement

Eko Nugroho, "Menunggu pendekar ahli benci berkostum moral" (2013-2015)

[Lost Lot](http://Indonesian artist Eko Nugroho is showing a series of embroidered wall works at the Art Gallery of Art Gallery of New South Wales, which look a lot like science fiction movie posters from the 1950s. His solo show, entitled Lost Lot, is exhibiting everything from drawings to paintings, sculptures, comics and embroidery which is inspired by traditional Indonesian theatre called ) runs until February 19 at the Art Gallery of Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Related:

Meet the Zine-Maker Behind Cult Classic 'Truckface'

This Musician’s Zine is a Chronicle of a Life in the Crowd

Pepe the Frog's Creator Talks Making Zine History