Oototol's Posthumous Jakarta Retrospective Explores Military Fantasies
A significant posthumous showcase featuring Balinese artist Oototol (born Dewa Raram) is currently displayed at ROH Projects and Komunitas Salihara in Jakarta, running from 7 March to 3 May. Entitled 'Warna Hidup', this exhibition is the most comprehensive among several solo displays set to launch in Japan, Indonesia, and the United States. Oototol, associated with the 1990s group MuMoToMo, is recognized for his portrayals of soldiers using flat Chinese ink. The collection, which includes an 11-metre painting at Komunitas Salihara and explicit imagery at ROH Projects, often remains untitled and undated. Critics view Oototol's art as challenging Indonesian military identity, though his work resists straightforward political interpretation. The Summer 2026 issue of ArtReview Asia will include a review of the exhibition.
Key facts
- Oototol (born Dewa Raram) is a late Balinese artist known for his depictions of soldiers.
- Exhibition 'Warna Hidup' runs from 7 March to 3 May at ROH Projects and Komunitas Salihara in Jakarta.
- Oototol was associated with the 1990s collective MuMoToMo, which included Murni, Dewa Putu Mokoh, and Edmondo Zanolini.
- Solo exhibitions of Oototol's work are also opening in Japan, Indonesia, and the United States.
- All works in the Jakarta presentation are left untitled and undated per the artist's wishes.
- Komunitas Salihara venue features works themed around modes of transport, including an 11-metre painting.
- ROH Projects venue features a dense salon-hang with explicit works, including a crucifixion scene.
- The exhibition is reviewed in the Summer 2026 issue of ArtReview Asia.
Entities
Artists
- Oototol
- Dewa Raram
- I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih
- Murni
- Dewa Putu Mokoh
- Edmondo Zanolini
Institutions
- ROH Projects
- Komunitas Salihara
- MuMoToMo
- ArtReview Asia
Locations
- Jakarta
- Indonesia
- Japan
- United States