Story of Artist : Bio Andaru
Bio Andaru began his artistic journey as a volunteer with the TUK Community (Tanam untuk Kehidupan) in 2009. A year later, he joined SAPU Upcycle (an upcycling community in Salatiga) led by Sindhu Prasastyo (Ayok). At the time, he was a punk kid on the verge of dropping out of school and – as Nova Ruth described – a "clingy kiddo."
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No excuses, no hesitation—armed with the addresses of the artists printed on the last pages of the catalogs, Bio set off in his cheap boots to the Ring Road Parangtritis intersection in Yogyakarta, hitching rides on trucks along the way. His destinations: Studio Pandrong and Komharo Studio.
The truth is... Bio's love for art began much earlier. In kindergarten, his teacher once gave the class a basic math assignment. Like his classmates, Bio grabbed his pencil and started working earnestly. But as the time ran out, everyone handed in their worksheets except Bio. Panicked, he couldn't understand how his classmates finished so quickly. Oh! The grapes were to be counted, not drawn!
In middle school, Bio drew his idol, Bob Marley, smoking a cigarette, complete with the signature dreadlocks and everything. Proud of his work, bio hung the drawing on the back wall of his classroom. Mr. Pramono, his English teacher, scolded him—classroom walls weren't for hanging drawings, let alone of someone smoking. But Mr. Pram was also intrigued and remarked, "One day, you might make a living from drawing, Bio."
Perhaps Mr. Pram's words also played a role in leading Bio's modest boots to the Giwangan terminal that day. Over twelve years in Yogyakarta, Bio had learned much. His cherished Bob Marley drawing, once a source of pride, turned out to be just “so... so...” Among the many influences on his artwork, the names that stood out included Tri Pandrong, Komroden Haro, Rio Setia Monata, FX Harsono, Ai Weiwei, and musician Roger Waters.
If I were challenged to describe Bio in five words, these are the ones I’d choose: brutal, stoic, impulsive, reckless, and crazy. Each of these traits shapes how Bio interacts with the world, both in art and daily life. He is a complex, contradictory figure brimming with unpredictable energy.
In art, his brutality manifests in bold, provocative works that disrupt and confront, filled with sharp lines and forms imbued with conflict. His stoicism emerges in controlled, meticulously crafted pieces that exude precision, even amidst external chaos. Impulsiveness drives his raw, untamed experiments. Bio’s works often defy rules and conventions, with a fearless approach to risk-taking—whether in adopting novel techniques or making bold, unconventional artistic decisions. Finally, his madness adds a unique, original perspective to his creations.
Yogyakarta, December 2024
Arami Kasih
Curator
Arami Kasih
Curator
