Of Thousand is the first solo exhibition by acclaimed Indonesian artist Jompet Kuswidananto with the gallery.
Kuswidananto is a multidisciplinary artist exploring themes of history, identity, colonialism, and cultural hybridity—especially in the context of postcolonial Indonesia.
Of Thousand is imagined as a memorial, bearing witness to the thousands of unnamed forced labourers, rōmusha, who went missing during the Japanese occupation in Java during World War II. Many among them were taken to work on railway projects on the island. The artist transforms steel rails and wooden sleepers from these violent projects into musical instruments and prayer beads, to create a resonant space for the echoes of the erased to linger.
Accompanying the exhibition opening on Saturday 18 October is a gamelan (Indonesian traditional orchestra) performance, with the saron (metallophone instrument) artworks, drums and singers by Dr Jan Mrazek and the National University of Singapore (NUS) Singa Nglaras Gamelan Ensemble from 4:30–5:30pm. Dr Mzarek is an Associate Professor in Southeast Asian Studies at NUS and founding director of the ensemble.
Venue: Ames Yavuz, Gillman Barracks, 9 Lock Road #02-23, Singapore 108937
When: 18 Oct - 29 Nov 2025,
By: Ames Yavuz
