Whitestone Gallery Taipei is currently presenting "Alternate Reality: Southeast Asian Exhibition" a group show that explores diverse perceptions of reality through the works of artists from Southeast Asia.

Nurrachmat Widyasena's work embodies a unique worldview born from the fusion of traditional techniques and contemporary design. Based in Jakarta, he breathes life into the inorganic medium of metal, creating shapes of the future that transcend our imagination. In this interview, we explore everything from his creative philosophy to his latest space-related project.

Whitestone Gallery Taipei

- Could you introduce your artistic techniques and process?

Nurrachmat: I usually work with metal sheets, pipes, and applied techniques of printmaking and painting. My practice repurposes discarded or everyday materials into symbolic vessels of historical tension and collective memory. The overall tone of my works is usually intentionally dysfunctional, sometimes rusted, sometimes pristine, shiny finish, sometimes broken, sometimes unfinished. Drawing parallels between imaginative resilience and unrealized ambitions.

- What draws you to the theme of outer space?

Nurrachmat: My dad is a technology expert in Indonesia. He introduced me to science and science fiction when I was still 4 years old. I watched Star Wars and Star Trek when I was still a kid and was fascinated by the promises that were around back then, like “in the year 2000 we will live on Mars” or “in the year 2000 we will have flying cars and utopian life”.

My artwork is a dialogue, to bring back those old forgotten dreams, and how I want those dreams and promises to come true in our daily life. To have a better life, especially by using technology. And of course, outer space is part of that future dream too!

Whitestone Gallery Taipei

- Could you briefly introduce the meaning or concept behind each image in the PT Besok Jaya: LAPAN Suit Studies series?

Nurrachmat: These are sketch studies of my collaboration with LAPAN (Indonesian Space Agency). This work is our way to dream, to have the same dream as NASA. As a third-world country, this is very important for us.

At that time, LAPAN and I tried to make a space suit together, and the works that I presented in Whitestone are sketches and studies of it. Like how we imagine the underwear, the shoes, the overall look, etc.

For example, why did I choose to paint a shark in the work? PT Besok Jaya : LAPAN Suit Studies #10? Because every military operation in Indonesia usually has animal names on it. Like Zebra operation, Tiger operation, etc. What is an appropriate strong animal to travel the new sea (space)? I think sharks are a good animal for it.

The background of the work is a visual of the Space Chart. The new sea, the new hope.

Why I use rusted metal is because it feels forgotten yet still futuristic. Just like how retro futurism is.

People tend to assume that the work will be rusted and destroyed. But as you can see, these works are nearly 10 years old and still the same as they were back then when I made them. I use proper paint, car-grade paint for coating the work. So it should hold for a long time.

Whitestone Gallery Taipei

- How do you balance satire and optimism when addressing humanity’s technological ambitions in your work?

Nurrachmat: I balance satire and optimism by treating them as two inseparable layers of the same story. Satire allows me to expose the absurdities, the bureaucracy, and the constant delays that surround Indonesia’s dream of progress. It is a way of holding a mirror to the promises that are never fulfilled, to the “future” that always feels postponed.

Chen Sai Hua Kuan's multisensory art experience forms an intriguing dialogue with the other artists participating in this exhibition. Imhathai Suwatthanasilp explores gender and existentialism through human hair, Le Quy Tong creates works themed around collective memory from social media images, Nurrachmat Widyasena demonstrates an artistic approach in Indonesia's space development, and Maharani Mancanagara depicts her grandfather's political experiences in charcoal drawings. Each artist presents their own "alternate reality" through unique approaches.

Alternate Reality: Southeast Asian Exhibition