Reexamining the Human Form with Aharimu's First Solo Exhibition Figure A
On December 10, 2024, RUCI Art Space, Jakarta, proudly presented Figure A, the first solo exhibition by Jakarta-based artist Adine Halim, better known as Aharimu. Curated by Zarani Risjad, the body of work displayed showcased the artist's unique exploration of the human form—extrapolating the body as a medium of texture, composition, and color. “I am very excited to present this first solo exhibition, in collaboration with RUCI Art Space. Through Figure A, I want to express that classical foundations such as still life painting and figure drawing do not have to be rigid or trapped in tradition, but can be liberated into new forms. The human body in my work represents shapes that constantly change and shift between familiarity and ambiguity, inviting the audience to engage deeply through color, texture, and form,” Aharimu expressed in a press statement.
Like many, Aharimu's journey with the arts began very early on in life. Her parents recognized her penchant from drawing and enrolled her in art lessons. “But I wasn't satisfied with simply drawing what was already there. So, in high school, I took classes specifically in still life drawing to further my technique with the aim of attending a good art school and exploring themes,” Aharimu explained. She pursued Fine Art at Nanyang Academy of Fine Art, Singapore, and came to the realization that, “Art is more than just a good drawing or painting, There's something more, a secret spice, that is more crucial than that.” At NAFA, Aharimu was able to receive many different influences with the academy covering both East Asian and Western Art. She also enjoyed looking towards pop culture; memes, literature, film and the like, finding herself enjoying humor that was a little more conceptual.
After graduating from NAFA in 2014, Aharimu continued to further her education in Chicago, US, but still felt like she was still looking for her creative identity. In this pursuit, she shifted to the world of film, initially tackling post-production in Vancouver, Canada. However, when she returned to Indonesia, she found that post-production had very little to offer her career-wise. As such, she gathered her courage to pursue film direction. Aharimu started small with music videos and the like but her work stalled when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived. This would serve as a curse and a blessing, with the quarantine bringing her back to painting, something she had stopped pursuing dedicatedly back in 2016.
Aharimu began to receive commission requests which led her to staying in Bali. While the work that led her there was largely commercial, she had been commissioned to paint villas, Aharimu began to find rhythm and flow to her work at the so-called Island of Gods. Her fascination with the human was also reignited when she was invited on a tour of Tonyraka Gallery, Ubud, featuring Made Wianta's work. She was intrigued by the creatures in Made Wianta's work and that influence is evident in the Figure A exhibition. “I don't look at humans as a structure but rather as a moving soul,” Aharimu explained, and this pushed her to take on the theme of figures and its abstractions. She further elaborated, “So, now I look for ways to explore the human form as far as possible.”
This leads us to the Figure A exhibition as it stands today. The careful balance of a bright color palette, visceral textures, and almost nonsensical, contortionist poses result in a surrealist reimagining of how we view the human body. Her experimental approach with reinterpretations of classical painting foundations as well as the incorporation of unconventional techniques including cake decorating in her use of oil paints lends itself to constructing an unlikely intimacy in each piece.
The collection of 25 works on display at RUCI Art Space not only chronicles Aharimu's infatuation with the human figures but also demonstrates her decade-long exploration as a creative—her influences, her challenges, her passions. “Through Figure A, I want to invite visitors and art lovers to enjoy works that reflect my personal perspective on life. I hope this exhibition becomes an experience that is not only engaging but also memorable for every visitor,” said the artist. There is something in the body of work for all art enthusiasts, tapping into the sensual and often humorous universal visual language of the self. Figure A is open to the public until January 20, 2025.