ILLUMINATIONS Of Women’s Prowess in Art, Science, Technology and Cultural Infusions: Indah Arsyad, Irene Agrivina, Hiromi Tango, Shen Jiaqi

Cuturi Gallery is proud to present ILLUMINATIONS of Women's Prowess in Art, Science, Technology and Cultural Infusions, showcasing four women artists working within the realms of art and technology, across Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific. Curated by esteemed Indonesian senior journalist, academic and observer of contemporary art and culture, Carla Bianpoen alongside internationally renowned arts advisor and a Patron of the Arts (National Arts Council, Singapore), Henny Scott, the exhibition showcases works by Indah Arsyad, Irene Agrivina, Hiromi Tango, and Shen Jiaqi. Each artist brings a distinct practice that, while deeply engaged with science and technology, are equally infused with memory of cultural heritage. Together, these artists spotlight how women have moved with unbound imagination, while unlimited by gendered technology.

 

Indonesian artist Indah Arsyad, is a landscape architect and technical and environmental engineer turned international contemporary multimedia artist who will later this year have a dedicated solo exhibition at the Vienna Welt Museum. Her work here, The Glory of the Land explores the cultural identity of a nation shaped by the historical/colonial trade and other influences that came along the Spice Route. In previous iterations, the immersive digital video project was displayed across six holographic screens with illustrations representing the influx of colonial powers and traders from Europe, the Middle East, China and commercial traders that came along this route. Their impact on the cultural identities of the peoples in Nusantara/Indonesia is felt until the present day.

 

Irene Agrivina, also from Indonesia, is a cofounder of HONF (House of Natural Fiber), a platform for free expression of art, science and open technology. Recognised as one of six women pioneers of innovation in Southeast Asia, she was among the first in Indonesia to introduce women to open-source technology and free expression through the female collective XXLab. Initiated in 2015, both the HONF Foundation and XXLab exemplify her innovative spirit. Agrivina here presents Symbiora, an interactive eco installation inspired by the Pasren. In Javanese architecture, a Pasren is a room, often within the Ndalem (main house), and symbolises a contemplative space. Working as a circular system, waste is transformed into life through sympoiesis (referring to a prominent professor and philosopher Donna Haraway about the interdependency between all forms of living, between humans and nonhumans), inducing ecological regeneration, while merging elements of nonhuman nature, arts, science, technology and culture.

 

Japanese-born Australian artist Hiromi Tango is widely known for her groundbreaking artistic practice that converges art and neuroscience, offering a profound exploration of mental health’s complexities. By drawing upon her experiences of neurodivergence and anxiety, Tango’s work masterfully integrates personal narratives, cultural influences, and femininity, providing a nuanced lens through which to examine the human condition. Her artistic process is a form of embodied cognition, probing the intricate relationships between mind, body, and environment. Tango’s innovative approach is distinguished by her collaboration with mental health specialists and institutions, where her art serves as a therapeutic catalyst, facilitating real-time healing and emotional regulation. This synergy between art and therapy highlights the transformative potential of creative expression in mental health care. Within the context of this exhibition, Tango’s work resonates with empathy, introspection, and a deep understanding of the human experience, illuminating the intricate interplay between art, neuroscience, and mental wellbeing.

 

Singaporean artist Shen Jiaqi’s practice investigates the emotional undercurrents of urban life in Singapore. Drawing on light, colour, and found architectural fragments, her works explore notions of transience, longing, and imagined sanctuary, reflecting on how individuals navigate environments shaped by relentless change. Colour and light function as emotive agents, evoking a delicate balance between alienation and hope, distance and desire. Her installations also gesture towards the psychological landscapes formed by yearning and negotiating, within the density of the urban cities. They invite quiet reflection on how imagined sanctuaries are constructed and sustained within collective and personal memory.