Spray, Peace, Diversity Solo Show: Anagard

Cuturi Gallery is proud to present Spray, Peace, Diversity by internationally renowned stencil artist Anagard (b. 1984, Indonesia). Residing in Yogyakarta, Indonesia as a professional street artist, Anagard brings bold and expressive works of street art into the walls of the gallery. Incorporating traditional patterns blended with his organic illustrative flair, he often champions his works with themes of peace, diversity, and equality.

 

Anagard is influenced by the culture of his surroundings, setting the context of his practice.  Mastering the skill of pencil drawing, it is the starting point of his works. Deeply inspired by the patterns of Javanese and Balinese tapestries, he meticulously creates and cuts out his sometimes monumental stencils. The carefully crafted stencil adorning many details and symbolisms is part of his signature.

Birthed in West Sumatra, Anagard was raised in Indonesia’s largest matrilinear society of Minangkabau, also known as Minang. A distinctive feature of the traditional female costumes of the Minang culture is the headdress. Embellished with metal jewellery and decorative floral arrangements, he adopts the significance of these headdresses into his paintings. As seen in each piece, a notable feature of Anagard’s works are the figures wearing some type of mask. Referencing the ornamental details of the Minang headdresses combined with voluminous animal-like characteristics, Anagard incorporates these masks with the intention to keep the audience in the constant mystery of the identities in his works. 

 

In Ride Your Future (2022), the depiction of a dove is an emblem of peace, freedom, and love. In the same way as a jockey directing a horse, the figure mounted on the back of the dove represents us as a society riding on the principles of multiculturalism - a simple yet compelling piece about diversity. Further elaborating on how one should live upon freedom without being judged or ridiculed, Anagard splatters the dove in multicolours, representing equality. Much like this piece, Anagard’s works are reflections on our human condition in the context of a democratic society.

Honest to its title and depiction, All Human Under Control (2022) presents yet another confrontational expression of Anagard’s sentiments towards the feeling of control. With effective use of text and images paired with contrasting colours of turquoise against red, this work speaks volumes on its own.

Our Pandemic Hero (2022) steers toward an empathetic approach paying homage to healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. In this piece, he sets two healthcare workers with growing flowers between them. Here, symbolism is apparent once more, as the proliferation of blossoming flowers represents hope and progress as we remain optimistic through adversity such as the global pandemic.

 

Street art is often created with colourful, bright, and bold graphics, most of the time seen in public spaces alluding to political undertones or societal issues. On the other hand, it can be an artistic representation of one’s creative enthusiasm. Anagard’s works constitute both elements. By combining figurative art with a myriad of colours, it is his way of translating nature and the life surrounding him onto the canvas. Through formidable use of dynamic visuals, Anagard has made gallant efforts to be a tangible voice of peace and harmony.

Anagard has achieved local and international recognition by participating in several group shows including those in Indonesia, Malaysia, Belgium, and Australia. Currently, he has made remarkable accomplishments such as achieving the UOB Painting of the Year award in both Indonesia and South East Asia in 2019.

Spray, Peace, Diversity will be on view at Cuturi Gallery from 16th July to 7th August 2022.

Text By Renee Loh

Exhibition Catalogue