Award-Winning Artist Reveals His Works at Alila Villas Soori

Award-Winning Artist Reveals His Works at Alila Villas Soori
While a student, Wiko Djoan won the Wendy Sorenson Memorial Fund for Best Painting and second grade in a national painting competition awarded by the Indonesian Ministry for Arts and Culture.

During his student days in Yogyakarta, Djoan established a batik teaching school that ran from 1980 until 1996, and he taught art at high schools in Central Java. His exhibitions include joint shows in Jakarta, Kalimantan and Yogyakarta within Indonesia and overseas in the Fukuoka Art Show in Japan, Galeri Gillabert Basel, Switzerland, and Helmond Den Haag - Buitenzorg Galeri in Amsterdam.

Prior to returning to Indonesia in late 2005, Djoan worked with Australian Indigenous artists in the central Australian desert. During his three years with members of the Pintubi/Luritja tribe, Djoan shared his painting knowledge with local artists, substantially increasing their reputation on the world art stage.

Having grown up in a family of photographers, Djoan utilizes his inherited knowledge, working as a contributing photographer for The Jakarta Post newspaper since late 2005 while also establishing his Tengkulak Tengah painting studio. Djoan still photographs today, but his first passion remains his exploration of painting as the medium to express his ideas on the world around him.

In several past exhibitions, Djoan's work displays his use of well-outlined, nearly geometric forms and a full and regular concept of space. Over decades of study his work has deconstructed, grown looser and more organic. A long-term resident of Bali, Djoan's paintings are constructions of anthropomorphic shapes, reminiscent of the multicolored offerings and effigies of its rituals. His works speak of the chaos of human existence visualised through exploding the minutiae of daily life in Bali. His works present a different perception of the island's culture through the eyes of an artist coming from outside of Bali.

Alila Villas Soori's Artist in Residence programme provides opportunities for creative individuals with various talents to explore his or her practice within another community, meeting new people, using new materials, experiencing life in a new location. The award winning resort continues achieving international recognition for its innovation; “Ultimate Villa Award 2012 by Island Destination, Earth Check Silver Certified 2012 and UK Tatler Spa Award 2013 as Most Heavenly Hideaway.

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