Anton Subiyanto at Galerie Stephanie

MANILA, Philippines - Galerie Stephanie presents Indonesian artist Anton Subiyanto’s exhibition titled “Rahayu: An Unencumbered Life,” which opens on Oct. 1. 

This is the fourth solo show of United Overseas Bank 2014 Art Competition grand prizewinner and his first in the Philippines. Besting numerous artists from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, Subiyanto emerged on top with his artwork “Old Stock, Fresh Menu” which impressed the judges with his “ability to convey a somber message in a playful way.” 

Subiyanto has made a mark in the region for his insight, humor and strong technique.  The artist makes a sharp critique of commercialism and attributes the general sadness and discontent people feel nowadays but presents it “with a spoonful of sugar, to help the medicine go down.”  With stress stemming from the rat race, and the emptiness felt from the unending need to have the latest gadget or get the best of anything that is available, Subiyanto proffers a solution of a slower, more meditative stance toward life and living with others, as his Javanese ancestors have. 

Focusing on the Javanese Hindu philosophical and ethical ideal of teposeliro, a state of empathy and mutual respect, Subiyanto encourages us to create meaningful connections with the people we interact with, and in the process, create both social harmony and happiness. 

For his solo exhibition at Galerie Stephanie, Subiyanto takes on the idea of “redemption” and expresses it in eight acrylic and graphite works as well as several significant works on paper. Subiyanto attempts to show that happiness is not in what we acquire or what we buy, but in what we let go of — our prejudices, our preconceptions on what truly makes us happy, and our empty desires.  It is in this state that we achieve social harmony, a proper context not just for the upcoming integration, but for the increasingly complicated world we live in.

The show is on view until Oct. 18 at Galerie Stephanie. Anton Subiyanto will be giving a talk about his work, the graphic traditions of Java, and his experiences as an artist who has exhibited in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Japan at 4 p.m. of the same date. 

For inquiries, call Galerie Stephanie at 709-1488 or visit www.galeriestephanie.com.