Jompet Kuswidananto

Kohesi Initiatives is pleased to present Dream Express: Personalized History of Mysticism, the fi rst solo exhibition by Jompet Kuswidananto (b. 1976, Yogyakarta, Indonesia) with the gallery. In this exhibition, Jompet explores his relationship with power, which is sewn to the establishment of the state (government), religion (church), and colonialism. The exhibition presents new works by Jompet in various mediums, such as installations, fabric work, photographs, and video.

Jompet’s choice of using the word “personalized" instead of "personal" refers to an active attempt to make history custom-made for a particular person. The word signifi es an effort to be actively involved, to make it a benchmark, as well as a symbol of ownership of personal and special micro connections. Beyond merely presenting a personal narrative, personalized history has actively sought to claim history out of the canon and adapt it to the needs of the individual, regardless of the size and legitimacy of the power.

In this exhibition, mysticism specifi cally refers to the wave of spiritual and religious beliefs that catalyze rebellion. The exhibition presents traces of disobedience; from apocalyptic narratives, crafting of spiritual objects, pilgrimages as well as veneration of the spirits of a dissident, to rituals and processes of trance.

Jompet’s work itself carries a comprehensive bodily experience through the stimulation of light, sound, texture, and dramaturgical fl ow. It is essential to appreciate the work in its entirety, alongside the personal narratives compiled from the artist's memories. Through lights and sounds, the works presented in this exhibition stimulate us as the audience to be wholly immersed in chaos and defi ance. Presented with a dramaturgical fl ow, we are taken into a spiritual and visual pilgrimage to witness narratives presented directly from Jompet’s mind.