SYMBIOTIC UTOPIA

The Peaceable Kingdom of Agus Putu Suyadnya (Indonesia)

Curated by John Silvis

May 30 - July 7, 2025

In Symbiotic Utopia, Agus Putu Suyadnya envisions a world where lush vegetation flourishes—a metaphor for a future in which humanity lives in balance with nature. He invites viewers into a realm where harmony and tension coexist, where nature, mythology, and contemporary realities merge into layered, dreamlike compositions.

Rooted in the vibrant artistic landscape of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Suyadnya’s latest paintings depict organic abundance and thriving ecosystems teeming with life. Drawing on the exotic representations of Southeast Asian flora and fauna, he reimagines the landscape of his region as a futuristic vision of harmony. Yet amid this verdant splendor, a quiet warning takes shape. The recurring figure of an astronaut—engineered for survival in uninhabitable environments—stands as a stark reminder of what may be lost if environmental degradation continues unchecked.

Through intricate layering, dynamic brushwork, and at times surreal juxtapositions, Suyadnya probes the fragile tension between hope and caution. For example, in Hug for Hope, 2025, a red-suited astronaut positioned in a lush forest lovingly embraces a chimpanzee as a testament to our responsibility in preserving our environment. His landscapes are not merely idyllic fantasies; they confront us with the urgency of our ecological choices and their long-term consequences. The astronaut, drifting through these imagined utopias—lounging on beach chairs, holding inflatable swim rafts, or interacting with wild animals—becomes a symbol of holistic abundance at risk of disappearing in an impoverished ecosystem.

Beyond temporal commentary, Suyadnya’s images invoke a spiritual appeal to the cosmic order—a vision of a world in which all creatures, including humankind, live in symbiotic harmony with nature. “Humans cannot live without nature,” he reflects, “whereas the natural world without mankind will continue to survive. So why, as humans, do we think we have the upper hand?”

Symbiotic Utopia presents a dual vision: both an aspirational glimpse into a thriving natural world and a haunting meditation on the consequences of ecological neglect. With these works, Suyadnya reaffirms his place as a vital voice in global contemporary painting, using his art to ignite conversations about the urgent need to safeguard the fading beauty of the natural world. 

About the Artist

Agus Putu Suyadnya (b. 1985) is an Indonesian artist based in Yogyakarta whose work offers a profound reflection on lived experience. Through his art, Agus initiates a conversation about the meaning of human existence, incorporating themes that prompt self-awareness—such as technology and nature. Employing realist techniques with a surrealist sensibility, he explores the depths of poetic imagination.

Agus holds a BFA from the Indonesian Institute of the Arts, Yogyakarta, and has exhibited his work internationally. His solo exhibitions include Pemburu Cahaya (Peaceful Seeker #2) as part of the 6 in 1 Balebajar Sangkring program at Balebanar Sangkring, Yogyakarta (2018); Suburb Stories at Lestari Grill & Pasta and Art Space, Seminyak, Bali (2014); and Karakteristik Wayang Sebagai Sumber Inspirasi Dalam Lukisan at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts, Yogyakarta (2011). In addition to his solo presentations, Agus has participated in numerous group exhibitions, such as Wonderland: Curious Nature at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), New York, and Xavier Art Fest 2024 with Fuse Art Project at Xavier School San Juan, Philippines.

About Curator

John Silvis is an art advisor and curator based in New York City and Berlin. In addition to advising contemporary global art collections, he is invested in creating access to the art of today through artist interviews, social media, writing, and podcasts. His curatorial practice focuses on the discourse surrounding identity, spirituality, and sustainability, and he has curated exhibitions in New York, Los Angeles, Vienna, Berlin, and Singapore.