NEW PAINTINGS AT ROH PROJECTS: CONTEMPORARY PAINTING AND THE UNEASE OF OUR TIME
An immersive encounter with bold visual expressions that capture uncertainty, vulnerability, and the shifting pulse of life in a rapidly changing world
Jakarta once again offers a compelling art destination through New Paintings, an exhibition currently on view at ROH Projects. As ROH’s first exhibition of the year, New Paintings delivers a visual experience that goes beyond aesthetic appeal, inviting visitors to reflect on the human condition and the shifting realities of the contemporary world. Open to the public and free of charge, the exhibition makes contemporary art accessible to a wide audience.
New Paintings features recent works by five international artists: Nadya Jiwa, Naotaka Hiro, Ser Serpas, Wei Jia, and Tith Kanitha. Shown together in a single space for the first time, their paintings create a dynamic visual dialogue that brings together different approaches and perspectives within the medium. The exhibition emphasizes painting’s continued relevance as a language for responding to the present moment and its complexities.
The works on display emerge from reflections on the current historical context, in which questions of individual freedom, the relationship between humans and their bodies, and a growing sense of detachment from reality have become increasingly pronounced. Through diverse materials, forms, and painterly gestures, the artists translate these concerns into visual expressions, allowing each work to function as both a personal statement and a collective reflection of modern life.
Through New Paintings, visitors are encouraged to consider how the boundaries of freedom are becoming increasingly blurred, how the body is perceived and reexamined, and how social reality appears more fragile amid rapid global change. The interaction between the artworks creates a strong space for contemplation, making the exhibition not only visually engaging but also rich in conceptual depth.
All works in the exhibition can be viewed without an entrance fee, registration, or time limitations during opening hours. This accessibility positions New Paintings as a budget-friendly cultural destination that still offers meaningful artistic value, particularly for audiences interested in contemporary visual art. The exhibition runs until 22 February 2026 at ROH Projects, located at Jalan Surabaya No. 66, Menteng, Central Jakarta. By presenting international artists and timely discourse, ROH Projects continues to contribute to Jakarta’s art landscape through thoughtful and context-driven exhibition programs.
photo source: rohprojects.net/exhibitions/new-paintings
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