Made KAEK
A contemporary artist residing in Banjar Palak Sukawati Bali. A graduate of law and a self-taught artist. Made Kaek is a creative pillar with pivotal contributions to the landscape of contemporary Indonesian art.
“In high school, I liked drawing and doing things like making wall art. I studied in a regular high school. When it was time to continue my studies I was advised to go to Yogyakarta to do law. So I did. In Yogya I found that law is a little conflicted in my life. Perhaps with my character and perception. But I also thought it could be something good in my life and continued with the study of law.
You can say I went to Yogya to study law but in Yogya I became an artist. I would say that I found my true self there. It was a long process, going through two extremes. On the one side, there is the law and on the other is art.” ~ Made Kaek
All of Kaek’s sculptures emerge from his world of two-dimensional work. The creatures of Kala Api were first born in different periods of the artist's journey.
The age of Kala Api begins with ‘The Honeymooners’. Bringing together the forces of male and female, guardians at the gate and the precursor of future generations that soon reign in Kala Api, the Age of Pawns.
The Honeymooners have a glamorous Hollywood flair, touched by codes of fashion like the beret and wavy locks of 50’s glamour, the couple greet us as male and female elements. Made Kaek stated they represent ‘the beginning of a tribe, the guardians at the gate.’ The artist stated ‘just like any beginning, a coupling gives birth to future generations.’ And so, it is the coupling of these fashionistas that gives birth to the future society in the Age of Pawns.
Giving birth to Kings and Queens, Chancellors, Generals and sycophantic followers. All of whom play their little part in this intricate Kingdom that makes a farce of all that we hold dear.
Wormy appetites .. a belly full of greed leaves little wormy trails...
Look to the left. And look to the right, the lying faces smiling bright!
From dusty ceilings and rooftops to treetop canopies and mountains. Clouds and blue skies. Disappear in the distance...From the height of obsession
The Pack
A throng, a mass of teeth and claws .. in service.
Pawn A Definition
A person who does not have any real power but is used by others to achieve something.
The Age of Pawns unveils a stage, perhaps more accurately a metaphorical chessboard. The clue is heralded through the dramatically epic title ‘Kala Api, the Age of Pawns’. It is associated with chess, a game of strategy. A spotlight on ‘Pawn’. Kaek’s creatures sweep the floor with paradoxes and ironies that cut away at common social pretences
Special Thanks
Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa
Ni Ketut Nendri
Prof. Dr. Wayan Kun Adnyana
Dr. Suwarno Wisetrotomo
Agung Gunawan
Ilham Khoiri
Team Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta
Sawidji Studio & Gallery
Dian Dewi Reich
Adhi Purnama
Nyoman Butur Suantara
Dibal Ranuh
Tjandra Hutama
Rumah Paros
Anak Agung Rika Yuliani
Made Teja Kirana
Putu Cahya Purnama
Ema Sukarelawanto
Luh Monika Sokananta
Yudha Kurniawan
Team Niti Mandala Printing