An immersive showcase that transforms perception and invites audiences to experience art beyond traditional limits

Nadi Gallery presents alih, the latest solo exhibition by Handiwirman Saputra, on view from February 2 to March 9, 2026. This exhibition marks his ninth solo presentation with the gallery, making it a significant milestone. After several years of postponement due to challenges that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, its realization represents an important and meaningful achievement for both the artist and the gallery.

The exhibition is rooted in a reflection on the word alih. According to the Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, alih means to move, replace, exchange, or transform. This definition provides a starting point for understanding the conceptual direction of the exhibition. In this context, however, alih goes beyond physical change. It reflects a shift in perspective and attitude in response to evolving circumstances and environments.

The preparation process involved frequent visits to Handiwirman’s studio in Yogyakarta. Over several months, blank canvases and raw materials gradually evolved into new works that extend his long standing artistic exploration. One notable piece is Tuturkarena, measuring 204 x 125 x 100 cm and made of resin fiber, brick powder, and sand. This work belongs to an ongoing series created when the artist feels compelled to convey a specific narrative through objects attached to its surface.

Visually, the new works continue to feature simple objects that have been central to his practice for years, including cotton, thread, and sponge. These everyday materials, often overlooked, are once again elevated as primary subjects. The most significant transformation, however, lies in his working process. In the past, he physically constructed objects before translating them onto canvas. For this exhibition, he chose to release himself from that method. Through a process of self reflection and negotiation, he acknowledged practical limitations such as material availability and production time. This shift allowed him to create works that feel more fluid and dynamic while maintaining the core essence of his practice.

Handiwirman also responds to conventional perceptions of painting in contemporary art. Painting is typically understood as a two dimensional image displayed on a wall. In alih, he challenges this notion by placing paintings on wheeled pedestals and working on surfaces that resemble brick or concrete walls. By doing so, he treats painting as a three dimensional presence that interacts directly with space, offering a more immersive experience for viewers.

The exhibition design further reinforces this approach. In an era where artworks are often reduced to cropped images in catalogs or digital screens, Handiwirman emphasizes a fuller, more physical encounter. The works function not merely as static objects but as integral elements of the surrounding atmosphere, encouraging visitors to engage both physically and emotionally.

Through alih, Handiwirman highlights the importance of adaptation and continuous growth without losing one’s foundation. The exhibition invites viewers to embrace change as a constructive process and to discover new ways of experiencing contemporary art.

photo source: instagram.com/nadi.gallery

#Alih exhibition Nadi Gallery #Handiwirman Saputra solo exhibition 2026 #Nadi Gallery February March 2026 exhibition #Handiwirman Saputra ninth solo exhibition #Alih contemporary art exhibition Indonesia #Handiwirman Saputra Yogyakarta studio practice #Tuturkarena resin fiber brick powder sand artwork #Indonesian contemporary painting exhibition #Handiwirman Saputra artistic transformation #blurring two dimensional and three dimensional painting #painting as three dimensional object #wheeled pedestal painting installation #contemporary art space experience Indonesia #Nadi Gallery Jakarta art exhibition #Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia alih meaning #adaptation and transformation in contemporary art #Handiwirman Saputra cotton thread sponge subjects #immersive art exhibition Jakarta 2026 #Indonesian contemporary artist Handiwirman Saputra #Nadi Gallery solo show Handiwirman Saputra #media #article #rsvp clique