"ARAHMAIANI: Lecture on Painting", the first solo showcase by Indonesia’s most outstanding contemporary artist Arahmaiani, questions the mechanisms and politics that govern the making and selling of art.
Her works will be on display from Aug 25 till Sept 10 at Valentine Willie Fine Art, first floor, 17 Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur.

As the artist aptly put it: "I am not against the market but I hate market fundamentalism, exploitation, monopoly — market terrorism!"

To express this delicate negotiation between her needs and personal journey as an artist against the pressures of mass consumerism, she will present a series of painted diptychs.

"I want to turn the medium of painting into performance. I want to transform the individual ‘product’ of painting for the commercial art world into a complex question of authorship and its marketability," she said.

Working mainly in performance and installation art since the early 1980s, Arahmaiani has gained an international reputation for her often provocative work. Her Indonesian roots coupled with Western art training and humanist concerns have bought Arahmaiani to numerous exhibitions and performances, ranging from those in streets protests in Indonesia to contemporary art museums in Asia, Europe and the United States.

Some of the notable events have included the prestigious 50th Venice Biennale 2003 and the Breaking Words Performance Art Expo in Nagano, Japan last year.

More recently, she has been juggling time between Malaysia and Germany, working on art and social projects.

For her KL stint, she is expected to showcase a body-text performance on Aug 24 at 8.30pm. On Aug 27, she will give a talk on her work and travels at 3.30pm.

The art showcase will also feature works by photographer Bernice Chauly.



Viewing hours: Noon-8pm (Mondays-Fridays) and noon-6pm (Saturdays). The gallery is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Admission is free. Call Daniel Chong (03-2284-2348) or go to www.artsasia.com.my.