Suvi Wahyudianto
Indonesia
Suvi Wahyudianto (b. 1993, Bangkalan) is a Madurese visual artist who studied Visual Arts Education at Surabaya State University and is currently based in Yogyakarta. His artistic practice primarily addresses socio-cultural issues, ethnic identity, collective memory, and the dynamics of migration and the Madurese diaspora (merantau). Through ethnographically grounded research, Wahyudianto works across diverse media, ranging from installation art, ceramics, and monoprinting to unconventional materials like tobacco juice, traditional velvet caps (peci), batik fabrics, and brass coins.
His works examine identity negotiation, work ethic, and memories of home through pieces steeped in local philosophy, such as Akar-kar Nyolpe, which draws parallels between human survival and a chicken scratching for food. Alongside installations featuring inverted plates, ceramic chicken feet, peci-clad skulls (Kocca Celeng), and portraits painted with tobacco juice (Paman). Through these visual metaphors, he offers a poignant critique of economic struggle, tradition, and the enduring bond between migrants and their homeland.
Artworks
Akar-akar Nyolpe #1 Metal plate, ceramic Diameter 20 cm (20 pcs), 2017
Akar-akar Nyolpe #2 Ceramic, cooper frame and wooden frame 54 cm x 74 cm x 5 cm (framed), 2017
Akar-akar Nyolpe #3 Ceramic, canvas, plywood, muslim hat and wooden frame 84 cm x 104 cm x 8 cm (framed), 2017
Akar-akar Nyolpe #4 Paper and ink 22 cm x 25 cm (20 Sheets), 2020
Akar-akar Nyolpe #5 Single channel video 9'1", 2017
Engon Brass coin, batik, brass frame and wooden frame 73 cm x 28 cm (2 panel), 2017
Kocca celeng Ceramic, Muslim hat and wooden box Variable dimension, 2017
Mari Resin and glass 12 cm x 12 cm x 16 cm (4 pcs), 2017
Mole Monoprint on canvas, batik and wooden frame 23 cm x 28 cm (6 panels), 2017
Nyai Ro Monoprint on paper and wooden frame 20 cm x 7 cm (8 panels), 2017
Paman Tobacco juice painting and wooden frame 40 cm x 50 cm, 2017
Tribute to Pak Suli Found Object 130 cm x 95 cm, 2017