Second Skin: Peeling Back the Layers – Entang Wiharso

Featuring the work of Indonesian artist Entang Wiharso, Second Skin: Peeling Back the Layers looks at the complex socio-political realities of modern Indonesia through the metaphor of multiple skins, which reflect the layering of information, experience and personal/communal identity. The exhibition includes paintings, prints, large-scale puppets and wall-mounted sculptures.

Inspired by the traditional Javanese shadow puppet forms of his childhood, Wiharso’s recent works interweave the narrative traditions of Java with his contemporary observations regarding social issues that resonate across national boundaries. Through his work, the artist asserts that intolerance-religious, ethnic, racial, political-denies diversity and freedom of choice.

The exhibition runs concurrently with complementary exhibition, Installation Arts: Indonesia, at the Richmond Center for Visual Arts at Western Michigan University. Both exhibitions were curated by Dr. Mary-Louise Totton, Associate Professor of Asian-Pacific Art, WMU, and provide an important view of contemporary art in Indonesia.