Made Aswino Aji
Made Aswino Aji
(b. 1977, Bali)
Born into a family of carvers, sculptors, and painters, Made Aswino Aji has been immersed in art-making since early childhood. He studied at the High School of the Arts (SMSR) in Gianyar and earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta.
Aji's multidisciplinary practice spans painting, photography, and installation, reflecting his observations on modern life. His works often explore themes of alienation, isolation, and existential loneliness. Through figurative imagery, portraits, and architectural elements, he critiques how individuals increasingly view one another not as part of a shared community, but as competitors in a boundless global stage.
In addition to his art practice, Aji manages Sika Gallery in Ubud, continuing the legacy of his father, the late I Wayan Sika. Under his stewardship, the gallery remains a vital space for artistic exchange across generations and communities.
Together We Wander #1, 2025 (1)
122 x 70 cm
Acrylic on canvas
Together We Wander #2, 2025 (2)
122 x 70 cm
Acrylic on canvas
Bali is going through rapid changes. People are expected to quickly adapt and keep up with the times, but at the same time, they still carry the responsibility of preserving their cultural heritage and ancestral traditions. In this work, I visualize Balinese people as shapeless figures, like soft clay, easily molded by the hands of time. It’s a metaphor for all of us, as we search for the right form: one that can stand tall in the face of modern life, yet remain rooted in the traditions that feed our soul.
(1)
(2)
Timeline
2001 - 2011
Proyek Ruang Per Ruang : I Don’t Try This at Home, Alternative Art Space Project, Soboman, Yogyakarta, ID (artist residency in 2002)
Selected exhibition:
Hello Print!, Edwin’s Gallery, Jakarta, ID;
IVAA BookAid Vol. 02/08, Edwin’s Gallery, Jakarta, ID
Detik, Sangkring Art Space, Yogyakarta, ID;
JAF #1, Taman Budaya Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, ID;
Bali Art Now: Hibridity, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, ID
IVAA Book Aid, Nadi Gallery, Jakarta ID;
T-shirt from March, Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, ID
8 Young Contemporaries, Art Forum, Singapore SG
Ligeros De Equipaje, Universidad De Castilla-la Macha Cuenca, Spain ES
Bali Biennale, Space & Scape, Gaya Gallery, Sika Gallery, Ubud, Bali, ID
Jogja Biennale: Disini & Kini, SMK 2 Jetis, Yogyakarta, ID
Ruang Per Ruang lll : Multi Happy Dimensional, Studio Third Eye Studio, Jakarta, ID
Ruang Per Ruang II : Inside Out, Alternative Art Space Project, House of Michelle Chin, Yogyakarta, ID
Makan Seni Rupa, House of Michelle Chin, Yogyakarta, ID
Grafis Minggiran, Kedai Kebun Art Forum, Yogyakarta, ID
Ligeros De Equipaje [ bagasi ringan ], Taman Budaya, Yogyakarta, ID
Reformasi, Sculpture Square, Singapore, SG
Proyek Ruang Per Ruang : I Don’t Try This at Home, Alternative Art Space Project, Soboman, Yogyakarta, ID
Anomi, with I Made Suarimbawa (Dalbo), L.I.P (French-Indonesia Institute), Yogyakarta, ID
Solo exhibition:
Beautiful li(v)es, JAD Gallery, Jakarta, ID
Pamerannya Aji, IVAA Hobby Studio, Yogyakarta, ID
Gibby’s Holiday : Illustrative Drawings, stories by Grace Samboh, Twice, Bar, Kuta, Bali, ID
Color Me Badd, Kedai Kebun Forum, Yogyakarta, ID
Color Me Badd, Rumah Seni Yaitu, Semarang, ID
Bungaduka, Via Via Kafe, Yogyakarta, ID
2012 - 2022
Selected exhibition:
MI DRAWING, Purga Gallery, Ubud ID
EROTIKA by Lano Project, SIKA - Gallery, Ubud ID
Solidaritas Perpa Lawan Corona, Pameran Daring – Kemendikbud, Jakarta ID
Pandemi, Manifesto VII, Galeri Nasional Indonesia, Jakarta ID
Persahabatan, Pameran Virtual, Rumah Paros, Sukawati, Bali ID
Muara, Mega Rupa, Bentara Budaya Bali, Denpasar, Bali, ID
Soundrenaline 2019 “The Spirit of All Time“ (Music Festival), at Creators Stage, Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK), Uluwatu, Bali, ID
The Take Over, Roamcoliving, ubud. Bali ID; When Artist Meet Designer, Hubud Co-working Space, Ubud, Bali ID
Malaria House Launch, Malaria House, Deus ex Machina, Canggu, Bali, ID
Contemporary Art from Bali, Langgeng Art Foundation,
Yogyakarta, ID
Crossing: Beyond Baliseeriing, Project 11, Fortyfivedownstairs, Melbourne, Australia, AU
Personal Codes, Sudakara Art Space, Sanur, Bali, ID
Genetik, Presented by Sanggar Dewata Indonesia, Agung Rai Museum of Art, Ubud, Bali, ID
PSOFA (Portable Sculpture Object Functional Art), Sudakara Art Space, Sanur, Bali, ID
Colek Pamor, Presented by Sanggar Dewata Indonesia, Agung Rai Museum of Art, Ubud, Bali, ID
Bali Return Economy, Fremantle Art Centre, Western Australia, Australia, AU
Manifesto #4: Keseharian: Mencandra Tanda-Tanda Masa, Galeri Nasional Indonesia, Jakarta, ID
Indonesian Contemporary art #1": Maping, Presented by Art:1 Mon Décor Gallery, Galeri Nasional Indonesia Jakarta, ID
Under Ego, SIKA - Gallery, Ubud, Bali, ID (solo exhibition)
2023
Sanggar Dewata Indonesia x SDI Exhibition, Sangkring Art Space, Yogyakarta, ID (selected exhibition)
Gelar Grafis Devfto, Langgeng Art Foundations, Yogyakarta, ID (selected exhibition)
2024
NADI 96, Santrian Art Gallery, Sanur, ID
Ars Multiplicata, Deux Ex Machina Gallery, Canggu, ID (selected exhibition)
Enjoying Prints, SIKA Gallery, Ubud, ID
Printmaking Collective, Booth S22, Art Jakarta Scene, Jakarta, ID (selected exhibition)
Pressing Forward - A Journey Through 3 Years of Devfto, Titik Dua, Ubud, ID (selected exhibition)
2025
Inks & Impressions - Print Exhibition By Devfto Printmaking Institute x Orbital Dago Gallery, Bandung, ID
MASTRY, Tony Raka Gallery, Ubud, Bali, ID