"SETELAH PADAM SEBELUM TENGGELAM": TRACING THE PATH OF LIGHT IN CATUR AGUNG NUGROHO’S SOLO EXHIBITION AT VNV GALLERY JAKARTA

A mesmerizing visual journey where color, silence, and emotion intertwine to awaken hope beyond the vanishing light

VnV Gallery Jakarta presents an art exhibition that stirs emotion and reflection through the works of talented young artist Catur Agung Nugroho. His solo exhibition, titled Setelah Padam Sebelum Tenggelam, runs from October 25 to November 25, 2025, marking a contemplative journey that explores the meaning of light and hope in a world increasingly dominated by digital glare.

Drawing on the concept of phosphene, the afterimage that appears when the eyes turn away from a light source, Catur transforms this visual experience into a medium of introspection. In his works, phosphene is not merely an optical effect but a symbol of humanity’s search for direction amid misleading brightness. He redefines light not as illumination but as a force capable of shaping perception.

The exhibition reveals the paradox of modern life: as people are constantly surrounded by the glow of digital screens, their sense of life’s true essence grows dim. Through expansive, serene cyan-blue landscapes, Catur invites viewers to rest their gaze and rediscover the tranquility that has long faded within.

Catur’s inspiration is rooted in his childhood in the highlands of Wonosobo, Central Java. The cyan-blue landscapes in his paintings evoke nostalgia and memory—reminders of clear skies, peaceful mountains, and nature untouched by human interference. Within these scenes, he plants beams of light resembling Star Wars sabers, blending the calm of nature with the vibrancy of pop culture.

Through Setelah Padam Sebelum Tenggelam, Catur conveys a poetic message: even when the light fades, hope still remains. The dim glow becomes a metaphor for life’s resilience, reflected in fireflies that shine in the dark, birds that keep flying, and drops of water that continue to find their way.

This exhibition is not only a visual documentation of Catur’s artistic journey but also an invitation for visitors to reflect on the relationship between humanity, light, and nature. Amid the soothing calmness of cyan tones, Catur creates an aesthetic experience that brings peace to the soul, reminding us that between fading and sinking, a glimmer of light still endures.

Setelah Padam Sebelum Tenggelam at VnV Gallery Jakarta stands as a significant moment in the landscape of contemporary Indonesian art—a space where reflection, color, and light converge to rekindle a hope that nearly faded away.

photo source: instagram.com/vicevirtuegallery




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