Budi Agung Kuswara (b. 1982) is from Bali, Indonesia where he continues to live and work. In 2009 Kuswara graduated with a BA in Fine Art from the Indonesia Institute of the Arts (ISI) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Budi Agung Kuswara’s artistic focus lies in the exploration of cultural identity and social environment. Kuswara creates works across different media, including painting, photography and prints. Budi Agung Kuswara’s paintings are inspired by the Kamasan painting, traditional Balinese narrative painting style, in the past mainly used to decorate the island’s temples, but also houses of the aristocracy. In his paintings, Kuswara often sets his figures against signature deep blue colour, creating works that examine cultural identity, celebrate society and culture while also exploring problems of social reality.
Solo exhibitions include Anonymous Ancestors, Ubud Readers & Writer’s Festival, Bali, Indonesia (2018); Arus Berlabuh Kita, Asian Civilization Museum, Singapore (2018); After Paradise, Paradiso, Bali, Indonesia (2015); Jump!, the Cones a long Theatre Street, The Esplanade, Singapore (2013); Kebon Indah, Baba House, National University Singapore Museum, Singapore (2013);Weaving Dreams in the Wind, Community Wall, The Esplanade, Singapore (2013); Floating Desires, TAKSU Gallery, Singapore (2012); The 12th Winds of Artist in Residence, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Fukuoka, Japan (2012); i.self, Komaneka Fine Art Gallery, Bali, Indonesia (2008).
Group exhibitions include (Upcoming) Tonight The Air Is Warm, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London, UK (2021); Facing the Sun, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Schloss Görne, Germany (2021); Rooted in Bali, Mizuma Gallery, Singapore (2020); ART•BALI 2019: Speculative Memories, AB•BC Building, Bali Collection, ITDC Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia (2019); Crossing: Beyond Baliseering, fortyfivedownstairs theatre, Melbourne, Australia (2017); Love me in My Batik, ILHAM Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2016); Water and Land: International Showcases on Environmental Arts, Taipei, Taiwan (2016); ECONOMY, Latent Spaces, Art Stage Singapore, Singapore (2015); Conversations Beneath the Skies, Biblioteca de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico (2015); Water, TAKSU Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2013); Peripheries, Asia Triennial Manchester, United Kingdom (2011); Jogja Gumergah! Jogja Bangkit!, Jogja National Museum, Yogyakarta, Indonesia (2010).