Bibiana Lee

Bibiana Lee

Sejak karirnya sebagai perupa professional, masalah identitas, orang orang terpinggir dan aspek kemanusiaan menjadi tema2 yang memicu kreatifitasnya. Keprihatinan dinyatakan dengan karya dari berbagai medium, seperti lukisan dan patung yang dibuat dari terra-cotta (Screams 2007) maupun dari bronze atau aluminium dan juga video2. Sebelumnya, pada tahun 2004-5 ia tergerak oleh nasib para mbok jamu, seperti terlihat pada tableware dari porcelain yang ia buat dengan judul M’Bok Jamu Jamu yang mendapat penghargaan dan masuk shortlist Indonesia Good Design Selection Award dari Pusat Desain Nasional. Pada tahun 2009, meraih The Honorable Mention Award of the Art & Photography Exhibition yang diselenggarakan oleh The Indonesian Heritage Society. Keprihatinan mengenai represi orang terpinggir, atau rasialisme terhadap masyarakat Tionghoa di Indonesia yang ia pribadi ikut mengalami, memuncak dengan perkara pemilihan gubernur Jakarta membuahkah mahakarya I am China(2019). Karya itu berupa tableware dari porcelain (yang bahasa Inggrisnya disebut china) dan menandakan seluruh sejarah/perjalanan kaum China peranakan. Bibiana memakai porcelain peranakan yang halus dan rapuh untuk bahasa artistiknya agar memperjelas kesamaan dengan keberadaan rapuh peranakan Tionghoa di Indonesia. Dengan demikian Bibiana menjadi perupa kontemporer Indonesia pertama yang mengangkat dan mendokumentasikan diatas bahan porcelain/keramik keseluruhan sejarah isu diskriminasi terhadap Tionghoa untuk ikut serta sebagai rupa seni pada khazanah seni rupa Indonesia.

CB/Bibiana

Karya

A Nation Divided

A Nation Divided

2022

60 x 60 cm

Digital print on aluminium


A Nation divided is the digital print of the actual porcelain from the I AM CHINA series exhibited at the id: Sengkarut Identitas exhibition at Galeri Nasional Indonesia in 2019. Upon closer inspection, the narration of how Indonesia, as a country was divided into 2 opposing sides that support opposing political candidates during the Jakarta Gubernatorial Election. The text also narrates how social media was used to spread truths and hoaxes during the political campaigns.

I am Not a Virus

I am Not a Virus

2021

Variable dimension

Metal chain, synthetic leather, rubber shavings


I AM NOT A VIRUS is an installation consisting of 4 punchbags that are used as metaphor for Asians, especially of Chinese descent, who are usually passive in nature, who have been abused (physically and verbally) like the passive punchbags during the pandemic. Xenophobia reared its ugly head all over the world, speared by ignorance and hoaxes about the corona virus and rhetoric by irresponsible people of power.

Pieces of May

Pieces of May

2022

60 x 60 cm

Digital print on aluminium


Pieces of May is the digital print of the actual porcelain from the I AM CHINA series exhibited at the id: Sengkarut Identitas exhibition at Galeri Nasional Indonesia in 2019. The atrocities against the Indonesian Chinese in May 1998 is narrated in the text that beguilingly look like beautiful motifs that can be found on Peranakan Porcelains.

ScreamS 5,8,11

ScreamS 5,8,11

2007

Variable dimension

Terracotta


ScreamS 5, 8 ,11 are photos of some of the terracotta sculptures that was exhibited in the 2007 solo exhibition. These are spontaneous facial expressions made using clay and purposely left as is - with the beautiful natural colorings of ceramics after firing in a traditional make-shift brick oven.

Some of My Favorite Things

Some of My Favorite Things

2015

Variable dimension

Plates, bowls, and porcelain cups


The photo shows Some of my Favourite Things installation of ready-made crockeries as on which are written the names of Bibiana’s favourite dishes/food, which turn out to be quite ‘international’ . This artist’s personal food palate is one that has been influenced by the many places she has stayed before. This art work talks about the influence of globalization by using food as metaphor.

The Human Race

2022

Variable dimension (looped)

Digital running texts


Human Race puts forward hypothetical questions to increase awareness on the issue of racism vs humanity. The red LED lights have been chosen as a reminder that underneath the various colours of the human skin, all human bleed the same colour. Racism tend to be latent and takes little to surface as seen historically and in recent times.

The Professionals II

The Professionals II

2009

150 x 100 cm

Painting in mix media


The Professionals II painting received the Honorable Mention Award during the 2009 Art and Photography Exhibition by the Indonesian Heritage Society. This painting is in mix media and recognizes one of the essential services provided by the profession depicted on the painting.