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Visiting artist to enliven gallery building site

Noted Indonesian artist, Dias Prabu will work with two local artists at the Bega Valley Regional Gallery tomorrow morning, painting a mural on the gallery’s building site hoarding.

Dias Prabu Indonesian artist

Dias Prabu with his batik works. Image courtesy of the artist. Photographer: Dewi Bukit.

18 August 2022

Noted Indonesian artist, Dias Prabu will work with two local artists at the Bega Valley Regional Gallery tomorrow morning, painting a mural on the gallery’s building site hoarding.

Gallery Director, Iain Dawson said Council was thrilled to host Dias Prabu and his contemporary art group, Kulture Collectiva in Bega this week.

“As the redevelopment of the regional gallery in the heart of Bega moves steadily to a summer opening date, we’ll be providing a glimpse of what our launch exhibition will feature,” Mr Dawson said.

“Dias Prabu, a mural painter and creator of batik tulis (hand-drawn batik) from Yogyakarta, will be assisted with his work by local artists Stan Squire, Mike Barnard and Ness Mercieca.

“This is an exciting way to enliven the building site for the new gallery. To have an artist of Dias’ calibre here is such an honour and it’s a great way for artist peers to connect with each other across national borders."

In 2014, Dias won a mural design competition at the National Gallery of Indonesia and his mural was painted on the wall of the gallery, where it remains today.

Since then, his mural painting has taken him to cities in Java, Aceh, East Kalimantan and the northernmost part of Indonesia.

On his mural journey, the motifs, patterns and elements he employs are derived from traditional art and culture in each of the regions he visits.

In his batik works, Dias uses a traditional hot wax canting tool to create large-scale hand-dyed textile works.

The designs are informed by Indonesian folklore and legends represented by drawings of hybrid figures, mythological beings and contemporary refiguring of traditional Indonesian motifs and symbols.

“Dias has been artist in residence at the Australian Tapestry Workshop and last week opened a solo exhibition at Broken Hill Gallery,” Mr Dawson said.

“He is visiting Bega courtesy of the Indonesian Embassy, 16 Albermarle Gallery and ART MONTH Sapphire Coast.

“Dias and our local artists will be working on the gallery hoarding tomorrow, and at 10am Kultura Collectiva will perform traditional Indonesian dance onsite. Everyone is welcome to watch the artwork develop and enjoy the performance.”

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