Heirlooms and everyday objects passed down through generations often serve as powerful reminders that evoke memories of the past. Inspired by this idea, 14 artists from the Institut Drawing Bandung responded creatively to a collection of vintage objects housed at Studio Rosid. The result is a collective drawing exhibition titled “Responding to Memories” (Merespons Kenangan).
The exhibition is being held at Studio Rosid, located on Jalan Cigadung Raya Tengah, Bandung, from July 13 to 31, 2026.
Curator and artist Isa Perkasa explained that Studio Rosid is filled with carefully arranged objects from the past, displayed throughout the space.
These nostalgic items form an engaging installation resembling a museum, attracting visitors who often feature the venue in their social media content.
“The Institut Drawing Bandung community sought a new challenge by exhibiting their works in various corners of Studio Rosid. We are responding to memories through drawing,” Isa said.
He explained that most of the artists at Institut Drawing Bandung work using conventional media such as pencil, charcoal, ballpoint pen, and watercolor on paper.
Their responses to the exhibition theme include paintings and drawings of objects and surrounding atmospheres, semiotic spatial installations, as well as works beyond the main theme, including abstract compositions and human figures.
“Responding to memories does not simply mean placing drawings in a room filled with vintage objects. The works must be positioned thoughtfully so that their contrasting presence creates a readable narrative rich in symbolic meaning,” Isa said.
According to Isa, traditional tools cannot be directly compared with modern functional objects, just as contemporary drawing cannot be compared outright with works rooted in traditional practices.
He said the exhibition represents an opportunity to revisit the past and reflect on whether it is still meaningful to create art grounded in traditional roots.
A Space for Dialogue
Artist and Institut Drawing Bandung member Anton Susanto said the 14 participating artists transformed Studio Rosid into a space for dialogue between artistic ideas, cultural artifacts, and contemporary explorations of drawing as an artistic medium.
The artists expressed this concept through diverse approaches, both in terms of media and technique.
For example, Ferry Curtis interprets drawing through a text-based approach and transforms it into music.
Meanwhile, Yoyo Hartanto, Setiyono Wibowo, and Yus R. Arwadinata responded to the artifacts by depicting objects and surrounding scenes using watercolor techniques.
Hawe Setiawan responded to the exhibition theme by presenting a collection of drawings in the form of narrative texts accompanied by visual storytelling.
A broader cultural perspective is reflected in the works of Firman Lubis, Deden Imanudin, Rendra Santana, Prabu Perdana, and Andi Yudha Asfandiar, whose creations focus on environmental and cultural traditions.
Meanwhile, artist Rosid, the owner of the exhibition venue and its collection of traditional artifacts, responded to the theme by creating portraits of members of Institut Drawing Bandung.
Rosid’s initiative further enriched the two-way interaction between the participating artists and Studio Rosid as a space for artistic dialogue.
“This exhibition presents a unique challenge for the participating artists. The works become a platform for exploring new possibilities while reinforcing drawing as a medium of expression that can also engage in dialogue with artifacts carrying historical significance and cultural value,” Anton said.***
