A solo exhibition by Alexander Chris. Exhibition on view at ARTSPACE - ARTOTEL Batam, Lobby Level until January 31, 2026. Modernity evolves rapidly, marked by the mechanisms of time that move ever faster. Various ways have been developed to broaden the meaning of life, expanding perspectives on how it is lived. Numerous discoveries have been woven together to define a new wave of life concepts. The pursuit of life’s perfection has been so intense that it creates images capable of accommodating new paths of thought. But what are these new paths of thought? They are the ways in which humans come to understand their own realm of existence within this fragmented world. The compartmentalization of life through space and time forces humanity to submit to the very spaces that sustain its being. Such living spaces must be recognized by each individual subject — a self-introduction to one’s own life space. The intermediary subjects merely act as conveyors of collective knowledge, forming the foundation of shared living. Through this process, values of togetherness emerge within society. Interaction fosters collaboration, and when collaboration brings positive value to all, it leads to tremendous social growth. This is how the aesthetics of Alexander Chris’s paintings are constructed — entering a vast social sphere, introducing subjects that span from the past to the present, from the bustling crowd to moments of solitude, all expressed within experimental spaces. As a painter, he opens himself to social experiences and studies, translating them into artificial forms upon his canvas. Chris, as he is affectionately known, creates his works through a historical methodology that he reinterprets and refines into carefully conceptualized paintings. He illustrates moments of authenticity from the past through his distinctive painting style. The subject becomes a means to show how historical fragments we have lived through serve as sources of authenticity for today’s values. What do we learn from history? Narrative. It is through narrative that Chris shapes the concept of this exhibition, Lost Boy in Wonderland. The “Boy” represents a subject that can exist anywhere — evoking a contemporary anticipation to expand archival systems so that values of the past may find presence in today’s world. The color magenta carries a strong foundation here, serving as a backdrop to today’s social evolution — a base for thought that distinguishes the passage of time, allowing reflections on subjects and their meanings. Thus, this exhibition transforms historical subjects into a foundation of thought, allowing the development of painting aesthetics to be appreciated for their beauty. The painting techniques — through splashes and strokes — signify that the contemporary moment emerges to be recognized, yet remains rooted in the past. The subject becomes the primary source of knowledge and the driving force of life as a whole. Such vitality radiates through The Fall of Icarus. Frigidanto Agung - Curator & Art Writer

A solo exhibition by Ageng Marhaendhika. Exhibition on view at ARTSpace - ARTOTEL Batam, Lobby Level until September 30, 2025. As for his work, Ageng takes in the rich foliage of our arboreal landscape—its virile leaves and branches, the birds that inhabit it as well as the shifting hues of the sky—and collapses it into the even surface of the canvas. Guided by kintsugi principles, a Japanese craft of ceramic mending, he harnesses the unique visual of the technique to carefully coax the natural form of his subject into an artful arrangement of brush strokes. In “Mending The Chaos”, he focuses on the water pollution caused by the batik textile industry near his home in Pekalongan. He takes the view of green nature that contrasts greatly with the bright orange pigment running down the river, this bizarre view adding to an almost surrealist quality, and puts down a reimagining of it in the works. “Mending The Chaos” comes from the combination of kintsugi and control. Ageng’s life has led him to piece together the shards of his life into something meaningful, similar to kintsugi, that ascribes meaning and beauty in destruction and the creation that follows its wake. He paints this duality the way we, as humans, trudge on despite never really knowing what’s going on. It is human nature to persevere despite everything. He uses this framework to highlight the pollution problem of his hometown, thus not becoming a silent bystander and attempting to contribute in solving this dilemma while also showing his values and what he finds to be important. This is a moral stand on his part as an artist, to show that we all have a part in the caring of this planet and everyone that inhabits it, and that the trials we’ve been through can be the key to uniting and adding to our understanding of our place in this strange world.

An exhibition by Agus Putu Suyadnya, AT. Sitompul, M.A Roziq. What an exciting year to start here at ARTOTEL Batam. Art lovers and enthusiasts are pampered with various art activities carefully designed and crafted with love. Art is always the passion in our business so it might not be an exaggeration if the title, ‘Symphony’, was chosen as the title of this exhibition. That it is through work of art that the participating artists express their experiences and life stories. As in musical composition, 'Symphony' exhibition is an artistic composition by three artists who have different styles and practices in producing their works. Art as a tool for expressing opinions, conveying hopes and desires or even just sharing stories of everyday life. These Yogyakarta- based artists have been actively exhibiting for more than a decade and are still creating artwork and exhibiting to this day. This is their first time exhibiting in Batam, presenting two-dimensional works that show different style and characteristics from each artist, both from a technical and artistic standpoint. The diversity of the works and content of messages presented at this exhibition emphasizes the title of the exhibition 'Symphony', which is expected to give a beautiful 'tone' that can be heard by the audience.

An exhibition by Pretty Shinta Born in Pekanbaru in 1996, Pretty Shinta has had a passion for art since the age of six. The works featured in this exhibition are born from self-contemplation, which is translated into brushstrokes on each canvas. This exhibition invites us all to explore the diverse journey of human life, encouraging self-reflection and a fresh perspective on others, while urging us to rethink the true meaning of life. While the works may appear abstract, they also provoke the mind. "The Silent Journey" conveys a message that the beauty of art is not always found in realistic visuals, but in the deeper meaning behind each piece. The journey of human life is a gift. With each breath, we experience moments of happiness, pain, and sometimes silence. Some observe the world through underground windows, cold and dark, while others view life as an achievement if they’re granted the opportunity to breathe another day. A person may smile more often but, at the same time, miss the deeper truths of existence. Fundamentally, humans seek peace, not just fleeting happiness. Yet, the world doesn’t always offer comfort. Challenges come and go, but hope remains for those who choose to believe in it. Each of Pretty Shinta's paintings serves as a contemplative voice, inviting us to understand the meaning of life—an often unheard message amidst the noise of modern living. With every vibrant color, these works aim to support overall mental health. For Pretty, health is no longer just about a cheerful smile; it’s about the untold stories behind the human facade and the journey that each person faces. Let us immerse ourselves in the beauty of "The Silent Journey" and reflect on the powerful message the artist intends to convey.

A photo exhibition by Ryan LH Photography, now 200 years old, has evolved beyond its initial role of "recording" and has become a powerful tool for "expression." This shift gave rise to the "art-photography" paradigm—where photographic media is used not just to document, but to convey an artist's ideas and aesthetic concepts. Ryan Luqman Hakim, a photography artist and graduate of ISI Yogyakarta, embodies this evolution in his second solo exhibition, "Coloury V.2: Lyfe and Let Laff". In this exhibition, Ryan explores the concept of neo-still life through polychromatic impressions, capturing the essence of everyday objects often overlooked, using a unique approach—photography taken with a mobile phone's digital camera. Through this exhibition, Ryan presents a fresh perspective on 'how to understand life' by transforming seemingly insignificant objects into detailed visual narratives. By amplifying these 'alienated' objects, he gives them new meaning and significance, making them the focal point of his aesthetic concept. The artist’s works feature a distinct aesthetic language: balanced composition, complementary colors, rich textures, and sharp lines. Rather than traditional photographic representations, his pieces offer the viewer an experience akin to abstract painting, filled with dynamic visualizations that challenge our perception of the everyday.