Neo Gallery is set to host an exhibition titled "Vivid Playground," showcasing works by Nanna Tamara, Tennessee Caroline, and Irina & Andrea from December 15, 2023 until January 4, 2024. The four artists share intriguing similarities as they all delve into an imaginative world filled with carefree and colorful fantasies, portraying a sense of freedom of expression. The concept of "Vivid Playground" precisely encapsulates their works, brimming with imagination and vibrant colors.
The term "playground" is often associated with a place where we can express ourselves without limitations. Similarly, the four artists create their works without constraints, as if they were exploring a playground. Each artist has a unique way of creating their work, drawing inspiration from different sources and using distinctive approaches according to their style.
They experiment with different colors and materials, driven by their unique motivations for creating their artworks. Tennessee Caroline, for instance, portrays her character Suku Pipi Tembem, addressing environmental issues through her art. Irina & Andre utilize recycled materials to craft playful and imaginative artworks. Meanwhile, Nanna Tamara incorporates fairy figures into everyday objects, creating a dreamlike playground of situations.
This exhibition is proof of the freedom of creativity, allowing their imagination to soar without any restrictive boundaries. Like children playing in a playground, their work invites us to "play" with free imagination.
Nanna Tamara
Born in 1959, Nanna Tamara is a self-taught artist based in Solo. She has had a natural talent for crafting and illustrating books since she was young. Her illustrations were chosen for the children's first communion book cover in 1999 and for the children's storybook cover titled “Dongeng di Ambang Malam by Yosi Yonata” in 2010. From 2015 to 2017, she also designed commercial products. Nanna mainly expresses her work through canvas using oil and paint markers. Her art often explores boundless and unconfined worlds and spaces. She sees the canvas as a limitless space, a fictional world that is brought to life in her artwork. Bright colors are her choice to convey happiness, and black lines play an important role in framing and ornamenting the objects in her work. Nanna has exhibited her artwork in Singapore, participating in group exhibitions at the Singapore International Art Fair in 2018 and the Global Art Fair in 2019.
Tennessee Caroline
Tennessee Caroline, born in Bandung on October 15, 1980, is an artist who graduated from FSRD ITB. Her work depicts her concerns about environmental issues in a subtle manner, represented by animal shapes, flora, natural silhouettes, and other elements related to nature. The central figure in her work is a chubby-cheeked girl who always pouts, looks annoyed, and angry. This character is known as the "suku pipi tembem," portraying someone who sees the world with cynicism and is full of questions. Caroline uses bright and sometimes soft colors to beautifully depict her dreams and her vision of the world she desires.
Each of Caroline's works is a form of protest against environmental and social conditions. However, unlike most contemporary painters who express their protests straightforwardly and harshly, Caroline chooses to convey her message through work that appears sweet and adorable but carries a profound meaning.
In her creative process, Caroline seeks inspiration from artists who address environmental issues and is conscious of making small contributions, such as sorting waste or using recycled items, and participating in tree planting programs. Yoshitomo Nara, Dulk, Seawalls/Pangeaseed are the most influential figures for her.
Irina & Andrea
Irina & Andrea, a mother-and-daughter duo who collaborate to create extraordinary works of art. Irina's main source of inspiration for her art is her daughter, Andrea, who has exceptional painting skills. Andrea's vibrant and colorful paintings motivated Irina to create sculptures that reflected her daughter's lively painting style.
In the process of creating a piece, they explore the world and their ideas from a unique perspective, incorporating surrealistic figures in the form of a doll, which can be crafted from various materials like cloth, tarpaulin, wood, or plastic. Bright and vibrant colors are selected to complement the doll's cheerful personality.
The themes in their works revolve around everyday events, occurrences, and experiences that flow naturally, which are expressed in the form of paintings, painted on sculptures and canvas. Irina and Andrea always listen to music while creating to help their creative process.
Irina admires the art of Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, and Basquiat. The person who had the greatest impact on her was her late father, who exposed her to art from a young age.
Let's explore the creativity and imagination at Vivid Playground, a stunning art exhibition presented by Neo Gallery! Running from December 15th to January 4th, 2024, Monday to Sunday, Vivid Playground offers an immersive experience for art enthusiasts, the curious, and those seeking inspiration to enjoy a blend of creativity and imagination.