"Jalan Balik" SENI KANJI Sharing and Music Performance By Muhammad Irfan “Popish”

How can art become a gateway to reconcile with and unlock hidden or undiscovered parts of ourselves?

Paulus Supomo was not your typical artist. The late 66-year-old illustrator, armed with A2 paper, felt tip markers and sometimes silly quotes in Indonesian and Mandarin, portrayed the casual lives of people in the real world and social media.

After spending most of his life as a factory worker in Bandung and only drawing as a modest hobby, Supomo delved into an invigorating journey of artistic and self-discovery. Supomo collaborated with his son Yulius Iskandar and broke boundaries, becoming one of Indonesia’s hippest illustrators. Supomo’s work became a way for him to reconnect with his Tionghoa Indonesian roots, from which he had become distant.

Despite his passing in 2021, Supomo’s rich legacy remains. This exhibition features 25 original works by Supomo, inviting you to embark on a journey to Jalan Balik. Discover how he had found himself again through art, and witness works that capture not only aspects of society, but also his bond with his son.

“Jalan Balik” Music Performance by Muhammad Irfan “Popish”

An accompaniment to the exhibition, this music performance explores Indonesian music influenced by Tionghoa and Peranakan culture, from traditional gambang kromong to modern pop songs.

Artist Bio

Seni Kanji

Seni Kanji, an art project by father and son Supomo and Yulius Iskandar, is known for distinct hand lettering. Supomo began hand lettering in 2016 and became a full-time artist in 2019, while Yulius created the @senikanji Instagram account. Collaborating with brands, artists and musicians on projects, Seni Kanji presents vintage Chinese poster-like artworks, with Chinese sentences that translate from Indonesian.

Muhammad Irfan (AKA Irfan Popish)

Muhamad Irfan is a writer, music subculture researcher and organiser from Bandung, Indonesia. Moving to Taiwan to pursue a Masters in Inter-Asia Cultural Studies, he was involved in the exchange of youth cultures between Indonesia and Taiwan. Examples of his past works include a video essay titled “Numpang Gandeng: The Underground Music Scene Among the Indonesian Migrant Workers in Taiwan”, and a showcase at Taipei Fine Arts Museum titled “Have You Ever Met Dao Ming Tse?”.