Mind Set Art Center is delighted to once again collaborate with southeast Asian art specialist Ruoh Ling Keong and Indonesian artist Syaiful Garibaldi to present the latter’s latest solo exhibition “In Between”. This will be Garibaldi’s second solo show at the gallery, following his previous “∞ Lemniscate”. The exhibit consists of his latest works across multiple mediums, including acrylic paintings, laser prints and large-scale installations. The exhibition will run from 10 May through 20 June, 2024, with an opening reception scheduled at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, 11 May. We cordially invite you to join us.
Garibaldi studied agriculture before transitioning into art during his academic career. This inspired his application of scientific background to create a conceptual foundation for his art. His works depict a unique stylistic rendition of his observation of the microorganisms that teeters between realism and imagination. His incessant quest for the creation of an immersive environment is sparked by his interest in the networked and interconnected nature of ecologies, and the evocative power of microorganisms as symbols of death and decay. Infusion between art and science transcends through his works and gives way to a spectrum of perspectives and knowledges which he illuminates in various mediums.
More recently, Garibaldi has turned his attention to mycelium, an organism that measures only a few micrometers across yet displays an astonishing array of qualities; whilst it is an integral component in the process of decomposition of dead organic matter, it is also essential in recycling the decomposing organic matter into beneficial compounds for the soil food web. Mycelium composites are frail in its biodegradable quality yet strong enough to be used as building material succinctly. This duality points to a theme close to the heart of the artist ---- a transient ephemerality in an eternal cycle. Experimenting with the mycelium composites led to the creation of a base material that allows him to depict the effervescent world of fungus that are always branched, entangled and anastomosing. With the installation work in the exhibition however, the mycelium composites are transformed as the base material for building of a towering structure which stands aloof but exposed to the touch and inspection of viewers, inviting a tactile experience that is both real and ironical ---- real because of its physicality, ironical because of the material’s inherent ephemerality. Therein lies the aspiration of this exhibition, an experimentation to encase and showcase the constant cycles of decomposition and growth as well as the countless “in-between” moments.
About the Curator
Ruoh Ling Keong joined Christie’s new “Southeast Asian Modern and Contemporary Art” department in 1996, and was promoted to department head in 2000. During her years with Christie’s, Ruoh-Ling has helped raise the value of many southeast Asian artists to unprecedented heights, and has become a leading voice with her professionalism and academic background. Ruoh-Ling left the auction house in 2011 and founded KRL Art Advisory in 2016 in an effort to plan and curate exhibitions with experimental elements for Southeast Asian contemporary artists. KRL Art Advisory is a dynamic curating body that strategically curates exhibitions across different cities. Its mission is to help artists go beyond the boundaries of their home cities and countries and establish a connection with local curators. Keong has also produced critical writing on Southeast Asian contemporary art.
