Hyun Nahm's 'Kawah Ojol' at ROH Projects explores Indonesian labor and landscape through volcanic materials
Hyun Nahm, a South Korean artist, showcases 'Kawah Ojol' at ROH Projects in Jakarta, featuring 12 installations inspired by Indonesia's volcanoes, on display until January 5. During his visit to Kawah Ijen in East Java, Nahm witnessed sulfur mining, where workers extract 'Devil's Gold' amid hazardous conditions, highlighting their precariousness. Among the pieces, 'Erupted' (2024) incorporates a burnt barricade from the 2020 protests against the controversial 'Omnibus law,' which faced backlash for undermining labor rights. The 'Faults' installation includes a Pikachu hat covered in sulfur, while sculptures made from epoxy and polystyrene merge natural and synthetic elements. The 'Adhan' series contrasts BTS towers with mosque minarets, and three 'Iram' sculptures resemble fulgurite shards, often reflecting a postapocalyptic theme.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Kawah Ojol' by Hyun Nahm at ROH Projects, Jakarta
- Show runs through January 5
- Features 12 installations from 2024
- Inspired by sulfur mining at Kawah Ijen volcano in East Java
- Includes works referencing 2020 'Omnibus law' protests in Indonesia
- Materials used include sulfur, epoxy, polystyrene, and black iron-powder
- Series 'Adhan' juxtaposes BTS towers and mosque minarets in photographs
- Sculptures 'Iram' combine architectural forms into delicate structures
Entities
Artists
- Hyun Nahm
Institutions
- ROH Projects
Locations
- Jakarta
- Indonesia
- East Java