UniVerse(s) at Valentine Willie Fine Art Kuala Lumpur (VWFA KL), is a continuation of Agus Baqul Purnomo’s exploration of Islamic Calligraphy, an ongoing preoccupation for the artist, amongst his other works that deal with abstract styles and compositions. It was around 4 years ago that he became highly focused on calligraphy as one means of expressions, which manifested with the work Yassin (To be Continued) included in the exhibition Ya-Sin Jogja Gallery, 2008. The next year, he elaborated this into a full series of calligraphic works in his solo at VWFA KL, entitled Recite!/ Iqra! a timely exhibition taking place during Ramadhan.

Prior to this, Agus had a solo called Vortex that took nature as its main premise. UniVerse(s) therefore, is a combination of both Recite!/ Iqra! and Vortex: a continuation and expansion on the theme of nature and calligraphy as a style and concept. Initially, it was driven by his experience of coping with the eruption of Mt. Merapi near the city where he lives, Yogyakarta, in October 2010. The greatest eruption in decades, the disaster shocked the country and the world, resulted in thousands of victims and forced refugees to evacuate from their homes. This natural disaster was a tragic reminder of the 2006, earthquake that destroyed many lives and livelihoods in Yogyakarta.

Apart from natural disasters, there have been many things going on in Indonesia lately – such as issues of Islam and pluralism. Somehow, the problems are interrelated with the recent political tensions in the country. Agus’s dual role as a member of society, as well as an artist, forces him therefore, to contemplate much about the forces of nature, spirituality and the conflicting man-made forces around his life; how Man tries to be the center of existence, whilst concurrently being a small presence within the infinite, invincible universe.

Similar with Recite!/ Iqra!, UniVerse(s) also uses verses from the Qur’an. In Recite!/ Iqra!, Agus quoted the most common Surahs that are often used as prayers in the everyday lives of Indonesian Muslim people. In UniVerse(s) he takes less ‘popular’ Surahs, quoting parts of them with verses that have relations or associations with nature. Most of the Surahs themselves serve as contemplations and warnings about the power of God and the forces of nature that are beyond the control of man. Agus recomposes the calligraphic texts of these quotations and rearticulates them in his signature overlapping texts and color compositions that speak of their hidden subtexts.

UniVerse(s) is both a celebration and a reminder. Agus wants to create a tribute to nature, whilst inviting everyone to remember the spirituality and greatness of the universe that hosts our lives; to always remember its power, not with a sense of dread but, with respect and a responsibility to protect.

by Farah Wardani