Sapar Contemporary Gallery + Incubator

In Symbiotic Utopia, Agus Putu Suyadnya envisions a world where lush vegetation flourishes—a metaphor for a future in which humanity lives in balance with nature. He invites viewers into a realm where harmony and tension coexist, where nature, mythology, and contemporary realities merge into layered, dreamlike compositions. Rooted in the vibrant artistic landscape of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Suyadnya’s latest paintings depict organic abundance and thriving ecosystems teeming with life. Drawing on the exotic representations of Southeast Asian flora and fauna, he reimagines the landscape of his region as a futuristic vision of harmony. Yet amid this verdant splendor, a quiet warning takes shape. The recurring figure of an astronaut—engineered for survival in uninhabitable environments—stands as a stark reminder of what may be lost if environmental degradation continues unchecked. Through intricate layering, dynamic brushwork, and at times surreal juxtapositions, Suyadnya probes the fragile tension between hope and caution. For example, in Hug for Hope, 2025, a red-suited astronaut positioned in a lush forest lovingly embraces a chimpanzee as a testament to our responsibility in preserving our environment. His landscapes are not merely idyllic fantasies; they confront us with the urgency of our ecological choices and their long-term consequences. The astronaut, drifting through these imagined utopias—lounging on beach chairs, holding inflatable swim rafts, or interacting with wild animals—becomes a symbol of holistic abundance at risk of disappearing in an impoverished ecosystem. Beyond temporal commentary, Suyadnya’s images invoke a spiritual appeal to the cosmic order—a vision of a world in which all creatures, including humankind, live in symbiotic harmony with nature. “Humans cannot live without nature,” he reflects, “whereas the natural world without mankind will continue to survive. So why, as humans, do we think we have the upper hand?” Symbiotic Utopia presents a dual vision: both an aspirational glimpse into a thriving natural world and a haunting meditation on the consequences of ecological neglect. With these works, Suyadnya reaffirms his place as a vital voice in global contemporary painting, using his art to ignite conversations about the urgent need to safeguard the fading beauty of the natural world.