Kala Api by Made Kaek

Kala Api in Manus, a Conscious Journey

Kala Api is the first series of sculptures by Made Kaek where his creatures step out of the canvas and join the world in Manus, a Conscious Journey. Manus, a Sawidji Collaborative Exhibition featuring five artists, explores the question ‘What makes us human?’

Subconscious, intuitive, base, and primitive, are qualities that resonated at the start of the Manus project. Themes that are often represented in the visual work of Made Kaek, whether by stylistic associations to art brut or the artist’s social commentary within his work. In Made Kaek’s paintings of his creatures (such as Tounges of Fire) the artist addresses aspects of human behaviour within social structures and visually translates his impressions. These became his much loved and known ‘cryptic creatures’.

A Cryptic Gathering

 For the first time marking a new chapter in his creative journey. His raw intuitive creations which are a visual allegory of human psychology, step out of the canvas and take three-dimensional form. On exhibition at Sudakara Art Space from 15th December until February 3rd 2024. They come together on a round table for their ‘First Supper’. Here in this festive gathering, they play a key role in the Manus narrative. In the evolution of human awareness, they greet us with the first reflection of our basic human instincts. What does it mean to be human, when we are without control, without rein and wild in our appetites?

During conversations throughout the Manus collaboration, the artist commented about the first meeting of his creatures. and why they were gathered as a group around a leader.

Black and Firey Times

Kala translates as time and Api translates to fire. The wood sculpture series Kala Api evolved directly from black charcoal and ink drawings. Drawings the artist titled Kala Ireng (‘Black Time’). The emergence of Kaeks’ creatures in a gathering of their ‘First Supper’ in their physical forms brings with them dark and weighty associations. ‘Time Fire’ and ‘Time Black’ do not leave us guessing about the tone and the message intended by the artist. However, I think it is apt that Kaeks’ creatures were first introduced as ‘Cryptic’. (ref,Sosok Samar Made Kaek)

Most importantly, it is this dimensionality, this gorgeous contrast of complexity in something that appears so simple. The humour is undeniably present in his creatures. Of normality gone awry in a quirky world just one step short of morbid. This is the essence, in my opinion, of Made Kaek’s true appeal. Amid his otherworldy distortions, he can bring us to face to face with our inner ugliness in the most artistic and consequently humane way.

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Made Kaek’s creatures in Kala Api inspired the visceral and yet philosophical poetry of Dr. Mas Ruscitadewi. We look forward to the gorgeous fusion of his works with the power of Dr. Mas Ruscitadewi’s words in upcoming collaborations.

Behind the Scenes