(b. 1988, Bali, Indonesia) The artistic journey of Agus Mediana, also known as ‘Cuprux,’ evolved from realism to abstract. Not only his inherent drive where detailed observation to get a profound understanding is crucial part of his art practice, but it was also the momentous of his strong desire to deeply understand his traditional surroundings—which then personally, builds a deeper connection to his Balinese traditional beliefs.
The intimacy moulded between Cuprux and his tradition plays an expressive role in his painting. Meticulous line and its repetitiveness, as well as subtle colours and their spectrums from dim layering sublimate artistic movements which are both reflective and intuitive. Using abstract as his main visual language, Cuprux’s work stem from his contemplations—questioning and interpreting the meanings of objects, rituals, behaviours, and their interrelations within the context of the global contemporary culture and local culture, particularly Balinese customs.
Cuprux’s painting invites us to peel back the layers of the macrocosm and microcosm that define the time and space we inhabit—the interplay of tradition and modernity: how they shape our identity and the relationships with our everyday. His works seek to bridge our sensory experiences with the chronicles of our own existence. In his early career, Cuprux was primarily active in Yogyakarta where he lived and worked during his study at ISI Yogyakarta. During this period, he had his works presented in important shows, for instance, in 2009, “Biennale Jogja X: Jogja Jamming Gerakan Arsip Seni Rupa Jogja”, Yogyakarta, and “Jogja Art Fair #2: Spacing Contemporary”, Yogyakarta. Prior to permanently moving back to Bali—answering his obligation towards the Balinese custom—he had his first solo exhibition, “Puisi Putih Tegallalang” (2010), Mon Décor Gallery, Jakarta. Cuprux currently lives and continue working on his art practice in Bali, where in the last five years he was invited to present his works in various group exhibitions, such as, in 2025, “Reflexivity: Post-tradition in Balinese contemporary art”, Lanö Contemporary Art Gallery, Bali; in 2024, “Reconstructing Erotica Via Post-tradition”, Lanö Art Project, Bali, and “Salon et Cetera”, Ace House Collective, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; in 2023, “Hidden Layers: Traces of tradition in contemporary painting”, Lanö Art Project, “Post Tradition: Contextualising tradition in contemporary art”, Lanö Art Project, Bali, and “The Growth,” Rumah Arta Derau, Bali; in 2022, “Ubud Print Fair”, Lanö Art Project, Bali, and “Melting Memory”, Lanö Art Project, Bali; and in 2021, “DIS&DAT (Display of Denizens of Art Things): Visual dialogues on art toys”, Sika Gallery, Bali.
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Perjalanan artistik Agus Mediana Adiputra, yang juga dikenal sebagai ‘Cuprux,’ berevolusi dari realisme ke abstrak. Bukan hanya dorongan bawaannya, di mana pengamatan untuk mengupas secara mendalam merupakan bagian penting dari praktik seninya, tetapi juga hasratnya yang kuat untuk memahami dengan khusuk lingkungan tradisinya—yang dengan kemudian, membangun hubungan yang lebih dalam dengan kepercayaan tradisional Balinya.
Keakraban yang terjalin antara Cuprux dan tradisinya memainkan peran ekspresif dalam lukisannya. Garis yang cermat dan pengulangannya, serta warna-warna halus dan spektrumnya dari lapisan-lapisan redup menyublimkan gerakan-gerakan artistik yang reflektif dan intuitif. Menggunakan abstrak sebagai bahasa visual utamanya, karya Cuprux berasal dari perenungannya—mempertanyakan dan menafsirkan makna-makna objek, ritual, perilaku, dan hubungan-hubungannya dalam konteks budaya kontemporer yang global dan budaya lokal, khususnya adat Bali.
Lukisan Cuprux mengajak kita untuk mengupas lapisan-lapisan makrokosmos dan mikrokosmos yang menentukan waktu dan ruang yang kita huni—interaksi antara tradisi dan modernitas: bagaimana keduanya membentuk identitas kita dan hubungan dengan kehidupan sehari-hari. Karya-karyanya berusaha menjembatani pengalaman indrawi kita dengan babad atas keberadaan kita sendiri.
Pada awal karirnya, Cuprux lebih banyak beraktivitas di Yogyakarta, tempat ia tinggal dan bekerja selama kuliah di ISI Yogyakarta. Selama periode ini, karyanya telah dipamerkan dalam beberapa pameran penting, misalnya pada tahun 2009, “Biennale Jogja X: Jogja Jamming Gerakan Arsip Seni Rupa Jogja”, Yogyakarta, dan “Jogja Art Fair #2: Spacing Contemporary”, Yogyakarta. Sebelum kembali ke Bali secara permanen—untuk menjalankan kewajibannya terhadap adat Bali—ia mempersembahkan karyanya dalam pameran tunggal pertamanya, “Puisi Putih Tegallalang” (2010), Mon Décor Gallery, Jakarta. Cuprux saat ini tinggal dan terus berkarya di Bali, dimana dalam lima tahun terakhir ia diundang untuk mempresentasikan karyanya di berbagai pameran kelompok, seperti pada tahun 2025, “Reflexivity: Post-tradition in Balinese contemporary art”, Lanö Contemporary Art Gallery, Bali; pada 2024, “Reconstructing Erotica Via Post-tradition”, Lanö Art Project, Bali, dan “Salon et Cetera”, Ace House Collective, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; pada 2023, “Hidden Layers: Traces of tradition in contemporary painting”, Lanö Art Project, “Post Tradition: Contextualising tradition in contemporary art”, Lanö Art Project, Bali, dan “The Growth,” Rumah Arta Derau, Bali; pada 2022, “Ubud Print Fair”, Lanö Art Project, Bali, dan “Melting Memory”, Lanö Art Project, Bali; dan pada 2021, “DIS&DAT (Display of Denizens of Art Things): Visual dialogues on art toys”, Sika Gallery, Bali.
