Transitory Nature of Earthly Joy

ALBERT YONATHAN SETYAWAN
(b. Indonesia, 1983)

These works are part of Albert Yonathan’s ongoing exploration of the human relationship with clay, expressing the notion of impermanence through materials. Each object is inspired by Peranakan designs including teapots, bowls and dishes. They are made from a mixture of raw red clay, soil, compost, seeds and planting mediums. Natural clay is not a conducive material for growing plants, however, the addition of planting mediums changes its composition so seeds can sprout. Shapes of the clay objects change over time – cracking and disintegrating. A metaphor for survival, this work reflects the tension between nature and our man-made environment. Albert completed his Postgraduate degree at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Bandung Institute of Technology and the Ceramic Art Department at Kyoto Seika University. He represented Indonesia at the 55th International Art Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia in 2013 and participated in SUNSHOWER: Contemporary Art from Southeast Asia 1980s to Now at the Mori Art Museum in Japan (2017).