Born in Jember, East Java, in 1991, Ludira uses his art to discuss fundamental questions relating to human existence and social culture. His Goat Series, triggered in the year of Goat according to Chinese customs (2015), explores themes such as man’s pursuit for worldly things, consumerism, as well as fundamental questions, such as death. Other themes he has discussed through his work are homosexuality and identity. His talent in processing and moulding endless yarns of steel into unique art pieces is receiving regional attention, recognized by awards such as “Sagu Hati Award” (Malaysia) and Honourable Award in Nanjing International Sports Sculpture Competition.
This time for the commissioned artwork for “GAIA Art Movement: Rooted in Art” he chose to reflect on limited human knowledge. Part of a personal project titled as “Unknown Object Project”, interestingly, mankind’s limited knowledge and reference is the “unknown object” here. Not because of the object itself is unknown, but actually because the subject (human) do not have the capacity to know the object completely and fully because of the limitation of our understanding.
Taking the shape of tubers, the creation is anchored by a childhood memory of removing the invasive tuber weed in his father’s garden. More commonly known as umbi in Indonesia, it is a root plant that grows vigorously because of the abundance of nutrients in the soil. He recalled growing up as a child, no matter how much observations and experience he had accumulated from weeding the tubers over the years, he could never exactly guess the shape, size, or pattern of the tubers growing inside the soil. This childhood experience led him to the conclusion that there is something much larger than human knowledge, a force that is beyond human reach and understanding. Not only this thought appropriately fulfils the commissioning theme, “nature”, Ludira visualized that the tuber artwork will be a good match to GAIA Cosmo Hotel’s natural and calm environment.
Prior to working with metal wires, Ludira used paper to make sculptures. Unlike many paper artists, Ludira avoided the use of glue as adhesive. Instead he would mash the paper with water to create pulp-like material. This process delivers a sculpture that, according to him, harder and smoother. He eventually chose to work mainly with metal wire because he feels they are the most flexible; he is able to bend and shape them to any shape or pattern he wants. Ludira is a graduate of Indonesia Institute of Arts Yogyakarta, finishing with a Cum Laude for his Bachelor of Arts in Metal Craft.
