The Second Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Brisbane, Australia, 1996 : Report

In the name of profit, all is justified. All is for sale, including the nation and its agencies, inhabitants and possessions. And religion and women have been assigned the same fate. They have become the 'packaging' in the promotion of products, and they have become the 'instruments and weapons' that are used to lubricate economic and political transactions. (extract from artist's statement) Marintan Sirait combines visual and performance art in her work, creating a dialogue between the artist and the viewer, the body and the world. Membangun rumah (Building a house) incorporates natural elements, such as ash and earth , as well as found-objects and lighting. It is a metaphor for the life cycle in nature , and includes multiple references to human alienation. In building this house, the process evolves to define the space within the cracks. neither flowing with the raging river, nor sitting in silence. A house built not of mirrors, yet mirroring the process. The roots of the tree anchored within the centre of the tremor, from where the branches grow to find nurturing places, in which we are the occupant not the owner. (extract from artist's statement) Agus Suwage, a former graphic designer and a prolific draughtsman, works across a variety of media and art forms. His works reflect the paradox of how human intelligence is misused to create damage and suffering, rather than enlightenment. In his statement the artist says: For me myself, to create a work of art is a medicine for a sick soul. Kind of a self-therapy. It will be better, and will be even better agai n , if these works of art have the opportunity to give a splash of inspiration to all human being people. The 1 996 Triennial included two highly evocative works. Pemandungan duniawi I (Earthly landscape I) depicts images of landscapes and the image of a crying Buddha, which is used as a symbol of our lost wisdom. Dongeng dari bumi yang resah (Tale from a Worried Earth) reflects the complex levels of contemporary society incorporating elements of folk art. 14