Talking about Indonesian contemporary art, we must mention the name of Jim Supangkat, a person who has dedicated his life to thinking about, discussing, designing, and driving Indonesian contemporary art in international exhibition and discussion forums. It can even be considered that Jim Supangkat (born in Makassar, May 2, 1948) is one of the inspirations and "spokespersons" of Indonesian contemporary art. Jim - as he is usually called - is a thinker, curator and critic of Indonesian art, who pays very intensive attention to historical aspects (as well as approaches).
Jim studied fine arts at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), and studied philosophy and aesthetics in Yogyakarta with Father Dick Hartoko (1973-1975). Became a listening student at the Department of Philosophy, University of Gadjah Mada (1974-1975). Then he studied at the Psychopolis Art Academie, The Hague, Netherlands (1978-1979). Has a background as an artist, as one of the exponents of the Indonesian New Art Movement (GSRB) in 1974-1979, as well as being its spokesperson. After GSRB announced its disbandment, Jim persevered in the curatorial world. He is a pioneer of the curatorial profession in Indonesia, in the midst of an art governance ecosystem that is still constantly seeking.
His experience as a curator is immeasurable. Some of them can be mentioned; Curator of Contemporary Art Exhibition of Non-Aligned Member Countries (1995); various contemporary art exhibitions at CP Art Space (Jakarta-USA); Jakarta Biennale; Jogja Biennale; CP Open Biennale; and others. In every exhibition designed, it is inevitable to bring and amplify the achievements of contemporary art works by artists (who live in) Yogyakarta.
Books that have been written include Paintings, Sculptures, and Free Sidharta (1995); Indonesia Modern Art and Beyond (1977); The Contemporary Art of The Non-Aligned Country (1977); Indonesian Modern Indonesian Art, Art and Culture in the Third Room (2005), Srihadi Soedarsono (2015), Entang Wiharso, and others.
Awards ever received include; Wendy Sorensen Memorial Award (1975); Indonesia Architect Association Award in the field of architectural essays (1985); Prince Claus Award from the Kingdom of the Netherlands for Posting Cultural Development in The Third World to The International World (1997); and Visual AretAward (2011).
Jim Supangkat's long experience in interpreting and amplifying thoughts and creating works of art in various national and international forums has resulted in the opening of various interests, studies and understandings for European-American researchers. Jim was at the forefront of the early days of international art activity, which was dominated by European-American perspectives. Jim opens doors and spaces for many parties and interests, especially the practice of discourse and works of contemporary Indonesian art.