Agung Prabowo, Self-measurements, 2016, linocut reductive print on handmade paper, 30 x 32 cm each, total of 49 hexagonal pieces
Molasses is a solo exhibition by Indonesian artist Agung “Agugn” Prabowo. This will be his first solo exhibition with Mizuma Gallery. The concept of molasses in Agugn’s work represents the our lives in both sweetness and darkness, and the eternal imbalance of our mindsets as human beings.
Since the beginning of his artistic practice, Agugn has been inspired by the many great things around him, the experiences that he went through, and the recollections of his childhood memories. Living in a village as a child, Agugn was surrounded by nature. His father’s hobby was farming, and one of the plants he cultivated was sugarcane. Chewing on a stalk of sugarcane was part of a family activity. However, Agugn only had his first taste of molasses last year, when he was ill and suffered a high fever for 24 days. As little was known on his condition, Agugn tried various medications that were prescribed to him, including blackstrap molasses. Not only was he inspired by its taste and usefulness, he was also intrigued by the relationship between his childhood memory of sugarcane and his circumstances at that time.
As a by-product from the crystallization process of refining sugarcane, molasses is used in everyday life and is claimed to be a good substitute to sugar crystals especially for diabetics, although excessive dosages can become equally as harmful. The concept of molasses in Agugn’s work represents both the sweet and dark side of his life as a human being. The human race has come to be the greatest living species on earth, possessing all the options and privileges of life. While we sit on top of this hierarchical system, we have the tendency to consider our thinking to be superior. This mindset is manifested in a kind of sweet indulgence that we humans become so lulled by, especially once we get a taste of it. Agugn believes that on the one hand, humans are expected to investigate all possibilities in order to achieve the best conclusion, while on the other hand, we are far from perfection and do not possess the knowledge to everything. The awareness of this contradictions triggered Agugn to pay closer attention to the relationships between the random activities and thoughts in his daily life.
Opening Reception: Saturday, 25 February 2017, 6 – 9 pm
Venue: Mizuma Gallery, 22 Lock Road #01-34, Gillman Barracks, Singapore 108939
Gallery Hours: Tue-Sat: 11 am – 7 pm, Sun: 11 am – 6 pm, Closed on Mon and Public Holidays
When: 25 Feb - 26 Mar 2017,
By: Mizuma Gallery
