Staging Conflict, Hacking Diversity

Staging Conflict, Hacking Diversity is a solo exhibition by Gilang Fradika. Like a collage, the configuration of objects and signs in Gilang Fradika’s paintings is a strategy he employed for putting together a series of knowledge and life experiences. This exploratory configuration triggers the memory of the viewer through an indexical relationship with the subject it represents. Although the visualisation of the objects appears to be imaginative, these works literally ‘traverse’ the real world. Objects and signs are stacked in layers, implying that the acquired knowledge and experience serve as models and methods: to enrich our aesthetic experiences, build ideas, find artistic tactics, and appreciate the creative process itself.

In catastrophism, Gilang’s works traverse the binary narrative of the individual struggle over identity and the excessive behaviour. This is shown in the melancholic narrative of the work, such as questions about existence, celebration of tragedy, the unstable society, ambiguity of conditions, and habitual escapism. Consciously, he sees life in a liminal space, whereby facts about objects overlap with their representations, imaginations, and associations. Painting becomes a space of indexicality where ideas are conveyed and memories embedded, summaries are drawn and questions asked, conclusions are dismissed and possibilities grown. With this awareness of the liminal space, Gilang’s painting incites a bodily experience, the psychological and the viewing experience. He employs local thinking for reading the global phenomenon, and all the dualities that arise. Instead of guiding and judging them, he chose to ‘stage’ every contradiction, staging conflict – hacking diversity. For viewers, this tactic can be understood as a critical self-awareness of the artist’s power over his works, as well as an experimental space for the viewer’s interpretation.

Staging Conflict, Hacking Diversity showcases new paintings by Gilang Fradika and marks his first solo exhibition in Singapore. The exhibition will run from 16 April till 22 May 2022. In conjunction with the exhibition, Mizuma Gallery will publish an e-catalogue with images of artworks by Gilang Fradika and an exhibition text written by Hendra Himawan.

Venue: Mizuma Gallery, 22 Lock Road, #01-34 Gillman Barracks, Singapore 108939