'The Neglected Dimension' Explores The Intersection Of Calligraphy And Abstraction In Southeast Asian Modern Art

SINGAPORE, 5 July 2023– National Gallery Singapore unveils the third edition of DALAM SOUTHEAST ASIA: The Neglected Dimension which opens from 7 July 2023 till 25 February 2024. The exhibition explores the incredible artistic experimentations that occurred in Indonesia with Arabic calligraphy, showcasing its significant role in the development of modern and contemporary art in the region.

The title of the exhibition, The Neglected Dimension, is borrowed from a 1987 essay by the Indonesian art critic, Sanento Yuliman, which offers a tribute to the life and work of Ahmad Sadali, one of the artists featured in the exhibition. In his essay, Sanento rearticulated Sadali's idea to reconsider the position of spirituality in the development and practice of modern painting in Indonesia.

While exhibitions of modern calligraphy have taken place since the 1970s in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, The Neglected Dimension offers a deep dive into new ways of engaging with calligraphy by focusing on the Faculty of Art and Design, Institut Teknologi Bandung (FSRD ITB), an art school in Indonesia that stood at the forefront of experimentations with forms of Islamic spirituality and abstraction. This move occurred as its artists engaged with the language of modern art through their formal training at ITB as painters and printmakers, their extensive travels to Western Europe and North America, and their careful studies of the rich material traditions of Southeast Asia. In this way, Bandung, with its new approach to modern art played a pivotal role in realising what this exhibition terms “calligraphic abstraction.”

Dr Eugene Tan, Director of National Gallery Singapore, says, “The intention of Dalam Southeast Asia has been to explore understudied aspects of Southeast Asian art through cutting-edge exhibition making. Although considerable work has been done on Islamic aesthetics in West Asia, North Africa, and South Asia, debates on modern art rarely featured the rich and diverse developments in Southeast Asia. Through this exhibition, we invite visitors to discover the untold stories and vibrant innovations that have flourished in our region. The Neglected Dimension is a testament to the Gallery’s commitment to fostering inclusive and diverse artistic dialogues, while continuously pushing the boundaries of art experience.”

Four artists are featured in the exhibition: Ahmad Sadali (1924–1987), A.D. Pirous (b. 1932), Haryadi Suadi (1938–2016), and Arahmaiani (b. 1962). They represent three generations of artistic training at ITB and distinct approaches to calligraphy that reflect changing values, identities, and conventions in Indonesia from the 1970s to the present.

Together, their works highlight how they interacted with global conventions in modern art, evolving ideas around Islamic spirituality, feminist activism, and the experiences of being Muslim in Indonesia. Visitors can look forward to a range of artistic expressions, from abstract paintings to explorations with prints, glass paintings, installation, and performance art.

The Neglected Dimension runs from 7 July 2023 to 25 February 2024 at National Gallery Singapore’s Dalam Southeast Asia located within the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery in the Former Supreme Court Wing. General Admission (free for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents) applies to Dalam Southeast Asia.

More information can be found in the following annex, and you may visit https://www.nationalgallery.sg/TheNeglectedDimension for information on curatorial programmes, talks, and tours. Media assets are available via this link.

• Annex A: Key Artwork Highlights
• Annex B: Artist Bios
• Annex C: Programmes