Heri Dono

Heri Dono is a prominent Indonesian visual artist renowned for his paintings, sculptures, and installations. A leading contemporary artist based in Yogyakarta, Heri Dono was among the first Indonesian artists to gain international recognition in the early 1990s.

Biography of Heri Dono

Heri Dono was born in 1960 in Indonesia. He attended the Indonesian Art Institute in Yogyakarta. He honed his artistic skills at the Indonesian Art Institute (Institut Seni Indonesia) in Yogyakarta, where he demonstrated exceptional talent by winning the prestigious Prize for Best Painting in both 1981 and 1985.

In 1998, Heri Dono was honored with the prestigious Prince Claus Award. Other awards and accolades include the UNESCO Prize (2000) and the Anugerah Adhikarya Rupa (Visual Arts Award) from the Indonesian government (2014).

The artist has showcased his work widely, participating in over 300 exhibitions and 35 international biennials, including the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (2018), Bangkok Art Biennale (2018), the 50th Venice Biennale in the Arsenale’s Zone of Urgency (2003), Guangzhou Triennial (2011), and the Gwangju Biennale (2006 and 1995), among others.

Heri Dono's solo shows have been held at various galleries and museums worldwide, including Cemeti Contemporary Art Gallery in Yogyakarta, Museum fur Volkerkunde in Basel, Bentara Budaya Gallery in Jogjakarta, Museum of Modern Art in Oxford, Nadi Gallery in Jakarta, Gajah Gallery in Singapore, Center A in Vancouver, and many more.

Currently, the artist lives and works in Yogyakarta.

Heri Dono's Art Style

Dono is renowned in the international contemporary art scene for his innovative installation works, many of which draw inspiration from his exploration of wayang, the intricate shadow puppet theater of Java. Wayang performances are a multifaceted art form that incorporates visual arts, singing, music, storytelling, social commentary, humor, and a mythological philosophy of life. Dono integrates these components into his artwork's narrative, offering a universal interpretation and incorporating multimedia elements. By replicating the setting of a wayang performance, he creates a space for social interaction among the audience. These creative works reflect Dono's passion for revitalizing art forms deeply rooted in Indonesian traditions.

In his paintings, the artist employs wild deformations and imaginative fantasies to create characters inspired by wayang stories. Drawing on his extensive knowledge and interest in children's cartoons, animation films, and comics, Dono's paintings are filled with captivating characters that intertwine fantastical and absurd narratives. Within these narratives, Dono often incorporates his own critical commentary on socio-political issues in Indonesia and beyond.