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A Sawidji Collaboration
A mixed media presentation by exploring social and cultural changes through a symbolic portrait narrative. Photography by by Dewi Dian Reich, ManButur Suantara. This collaboration is curated by Dewi Dian Reich
Exhibition Opening
A Collaboration ‘Red Chair and the White Room‘ opens this week in our gallery space here in Ubud from August 19th. It is available online at Sawidji. This is a pivotal project for us in Sawidji. To present this collaboration marks a significant step that reinforces many of the values on which Sawidji is founded.
Art as a Bridge
In the purity of arts’ expressions, it is needed now even more desperately than before, to serve as a bridge. A bridge to connect people, connect minds as well as to touch hearts. Providing a catalyst. Even perhaps like a conduit that may lead people to raise important questions. To inspire learning and better understanding. Not only for ourselves. But to a wider community as well as the environment in which we live and receive Natures’ many gifts.
There is a freedom in art, and that freedom is something we have become accustomed to. Perhaps take for granted. Forgetting that past generations fought greatly for the freedom to express. The freedom of artistic expression is one that has been hard won and rewarded by time. It is not always treated respectfully, at times too nonchalantly. Nonetheless that is the nature of artistic freedom. It carries with it invisible disclaimers and immunity.
Ethical Responsibility
Our conviction that art is a positive channel for inspiring individual and collective awareness means that we do not take this freedom lightly. Certainly not carelessly. It is not a carte blanche approach. An ethical responsibility comes with employing free expression. Especially when addressing something that encompasses more than just yourself.
It is a vast area full of grey areas. However, we trust that with peaceful intention and with careful considerations, collaborations from within Sawidji that may touch social and cultural topics will be received in the same manner. Art is as variable as people are. It speaks as many languages as there are individuals that create it. Yet it is universal. That in itself is something miraculous and powerful. This uniting power of creativity.
The Spirit of Collaboration
Thus, as a community, albeit small one, we wish to dedicate collaborative works to contribute something back to our larger community. Purity in art is not subject to gender, religion, politics or country. It may question everything or nothing and accept everything or nothing. This freedom in creativity is powerful and can be a moving positive force.
On this note we invite you to join us, on this day of Independence 17th August, for the online version of our exhibition ‘Red Chair and the White Room’. An exploration of changes social behaviours and its potential impact on cultural identity. Through symbolic representation via a portrait narrative. The Online Exhibition is available below in both English and Bahasa Indonesia.
Visit our Gallery to see A Collaboration ‘Red Chair and the White Room’. For those of you who were in Bali and had the opportunity to visit, thank you for your visit to Sawidji Gallery in Ubud. For those who missed the exhibition, the online version is available here below.
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