Abdi Setiawan, To be good or … , 2000

Oil on canvas
145 x 200 cm (visible)
Condition: Good, with surface accretion accumulated, and a tear present at the bottom right edge of the canvas, exposing part of the stretcher frame.
Artwork located in Jogjakarta, Indonesia.

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Abdi Setiawan (Indonesian, b.1971) is a contemporary sculptor and installation artist based in Yogyakarta, educated in Craft at ISI Yogyakarta (graduated 2003). His installations present half- or life-size wood and fiberglass figures of everyday Indonesians in urban vignettes like bus terminals or waiting rooms, crafted with meticulous carving and richly satirical realism, from the unpolished surface textures of teak to details such as tattoos, branded sweaters, expressive poses, and facial glances. Setiawan’s sculptural practice engages deeply with the rhythms of urban life, populated and restless, burdened by overpopulation, traffic, consumption, and social tensions, while always aiming to provoke a gentle smile through its familiar and ironic staging. His works have featured prominently in group and solo exhibitions locally and internationally, including gallery representation from Sin Sin Fine Art (since 2009) and regular collaborations with Gajah Gallery, as well as participation in major art fairs and exhibitions such as Art Stage Singapore, Art Basel Hong Kong, and ARCO Madrid.

(Photographed in June 2025)