Teguh Ostenrik Profile
Respecting the environment through creation – Teguh Ostenrik has a masters in art from the Hochschule der Kuenste, West Berlin, Germany. He has more than 100 personal and group exhibitions under his belt from Amerika, Europe (France, Netherlands, Germany), Australia, and all over Asia. Most of Ostenrik’s work was made based on his respect towards the environment. He utilize a lot of recycled material and earth tones. He believes that being raised by Indonesian culture and graduating from Hochschule der Kuenste West Berlin, Germany, also living in Europe for 16 years, has created dual persepective within his work. Indonesian and European culture has collide within him and unconsciously formed his artistic statement.
Creating manmade coral reef
In September 2015, Teguh Ostenrik and Terumbu Rupa Foundation collaborated in placing manmade coral reefs in Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi. This installation was named “Domus Longus” which means long house. A replica of the Longnose butterfly fish can be seen attached to the structure. This special fish symbolizes boycott towards the Wakatobi National Park.
Three months later, in December 2015, another manmade coral reef was placed in the Pelangi Island, in the Kepulauan Seribu, North Jakarta area. It was named “Domus Musculi” which means House of Kersels, to commemorate what was once famous from the Jakarta Bay and for its clams, that are currently non-existent because of the high pollution.
Batik stamp motif
The ocean serves as a life buffer for humans as it is the source of rich protein and contributes to the oxygen we inhale. Coral reefs that depend on healthy ocean also play an important role in supporting the marine ecosystem with its high biodiversity and function to protect the coast from abrasion.
Coral reefs are currently under threat due to improper fishing practice, sedimentation from land deforestation, heavy pollution, and increase in sea temperature cause by global warming. There are numerous campaigns to save the ocean. However, the challenge is the public opinion that views the ocean as a water body without understanding its function and the important roles of the marine ecosystem.
Terumbu Rupa Foundation, a non-profit organization which mission to conserve coral reefs through art, in effort to evoke public awareness and participate in ocean protection.
The Terumbu Rupa Foundation use batik as a medium that can be widely accepted by the public. Working with Bazaar Art Fair 2016 and Losari Foundation, Teguh Ostenrik launched 2 for 6 ocean themed batik motifs which are fish and coral reef. The motif is then stamped on fabric and coloured with natural dye.
Natural colouring requires a longer, more complicated, and costly process. However, considering millions of tons of chemical waste from textile colouring are discharged every year and killing the ecosystem, it seems sensible to support batik artisans that utilize natural dyes. The stamps are about 20 x 20 cm in size and made of copper, while the motifs are approximately 10 x 15 cm. The batik cloth is then transformed into used goods such as beach sarongs and decorative bracelets.
The Losari Foundation, as in Batik Losari, produce batik with natural colouring which is environmentally friendly. This collaboration continues because it refers to preserving nature and the product itself can be used for campaigns supporting coral reef protection.
Terumbu Rupa Foundation in producing stamped batik together with Batik Losari is a sign of trust to achieve the same mission; creating by prioritizing preservation of nature and authentic Indonesia culture, which is batik.
Profile Teguh Ostenrik
1950 Born in Jakarta, Indonesia
1972 Graphic Design, Lette Schüle – West Berlin, Germany
1974 Art, Hochschule der Künste - West Berlin, Germany
1980 Meisterschüler under Prof. H Bachmann, Hochschule der Künste - West Berlin, Germany
1981 Working at the art studio, Amsterdam, Netherland
1982 Established Atelier in Köln, Jerman
1984 Four months of study of comparative art in Indonesia
1988 Back in Jakarta, Indonesia
1989 -1994 Owned C-LINE GALLERY, Jakarta, Indonesia
1995 -2003 Owned Teguh Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
2004 – now Owner of Bilik 3Dharma, Jakarta, Indonesia
Several solo exhibitions:
"Look At Me", pameran lukisan dan patung, Nadi Gallery, Jakarta Indonesia (2005)
"Compassion", Gereja St. Mary of the Angels, Singapura (2005)
"Kamasutra Femmes", pameran lukisan dan patung, East & West Gallery, Melbourne, Australia (2007)
"NEO", pameran lukisan, Koong Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia (2008)
"deFACEment", pameran lukisan dan patung, Alpha Utara Gallery, Penang, Malaysia (2008)
"10x10: An Accidental Autobiography", AOD Artspace, Jakarta, Indonesia (2009)
"deFACEment", pameran lukisan dan patung, Ide Global Art, Jakarta, Indonesia (2009)
"Sarong - Identity?", pameran lukisan dan patung, Galeri Semarang - JAD, Jakarta, Indonesia (2010)
"deFACEment", pameran lukisan dan patung, Tembi Contemporary, Yoyakarta, Indonesia (2010)
"Linea Nigra", pameran lukisan dan patung, CG Artspace, Jakarta, Indonesia (2010)
"Domus Sepiae", Senggigi, Lombok, Nusa Tenggara Barat (2014)
"Menembus Batas", Kalijodo, Jakarta, Indonesia (2017)
