In his practice, the works of Mulyana are driven by global and environmental crises, articulating his concerns with daily life and current issues. Diver(sea)ty is Mulyana’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it has had on the world, drawing attention to the ever-more urgent need of embracing diversity and respecting each other regardless of racial, religious, socioeconomic and geographical differences. In this installation, the Mogus—Mulyana’s octopus monster alter-ego—rallies together the underwater community in a concerted effort to aspire to greater harmony and mutual respect. A thriving and dynamic ocean ecosystem comes to life through a series of Mogus, various marine creatures and coral islands, all carefully crafted out of crochet. By drawing us into their underwater world, these creatures in their fluidity of forms and identities prompt reflections on issues of diversity and inclusion, as well as our roles as custodians who share a collective responsibility towards looking after the earth and its resources.
About the Artist
Mulyana (b.1984, Indonesia) is known for his textile installations as well as crocheted and knitted marine worlds that are homes for his alter-ego, an octopus called Mogus. Collaboration is central to the creation of his works, and Mulyana often works together with communities in Yogyakarta, where he is currently based. He has participated in numerous exhibitions including Equilibrium: At the Boundary Between Human and Environment at Asia Culture Center, South Korea (2020) and Jumping The Shadow at Sapar Contemporary, USA (2020). In 2019, his work A Man, A Monster, and The Sea was presented at Orange County Museum of Art in USA and The Goods Shed in Australia.
More information here: https://www.esplanade.com/festivals-and-series/visual-arts/2020/diverseaty?Start=20201214&End=20201215
