Heri Dono and Sherry Winata: Two Artistic Journeys Meet in Bali

JAKARTA, JakartaWeekly.com — Behind the beauty of an artwork lies a long journey that is not always visible to the eye. It is shaped by life experiences, the search for identity, memories of the past, and inner struggles that eventually find expression through color, materials, and imagination.

These journeys will come together in two art exhibitions at ARMA Museum (Agung Rai Museum of Art) in Ubud, Bali, running from November 29, 2026, to January 29, 2027. The exhibitions bring together Indonesian contemporary art maestro Heri Dono and emerging artist Sherry Winata as part of the museum’s 30th-anniversary celebrations.

Heri Dono will present his solo exhibition, A World Seen Otherwise, while Sherry Winata will showcase The Divine Flow. Although they come from different backgrounds and employ distinct artistic approaches, both artists place human experience at the heart of their creative practices.

For Heri Dono, more than four decades in the art world have taken him on an extensive exploration of the relationship between art, tradition, and social life. He is widely recognized for transforming Indonesian wayang traditions and mythology into a visual language of contemporary art.

Through A World Seen Otherwise, Heri Dono invites visitors to view reality from different perspectives. His imaginative world brings together humans and animals, mythology and technology, humor and violence, as well as hope and anxiety.

For Heri Dono, however, artistic inspiration does not come solely from visible objects. Everyone, he believes, has their own source of inspiration, one that provides energy and an awareness of their own existence.

This perspective is also reflected in his collaboration with Adelle Jewellery. Through this project, he translates his artistic character into four pieces of wearable art, transforming artistic creations into jewelry that can be worn.

Heri Dono describes the collaboration as the first time in his career that he has worked with a jewelry company.

He developed four designs under the Flying Angels series. For him, angels are not merely figures associated with religion but can also be understood as sources of inspiration that every individual possesses.

“Angels are inspiration itself. Everyone has their own angels,” Heri Dono said, explaining the concept behind the collaboration.

Through the project, Heri Dono seeks to expand the spaces in which visual art can exist. He believes art should not be confined to the realm of fine art but can also become part of various aspects of everyday life.

From Bali to the National Gallery of Indonesia

Heri Dono’s exhibition in Bali is also part of a broader series of initiatives recognizing his artistic journey.

Citra Smara Dewi, a member of the National Gallery of Indonesia’s Curatorial Board, explained that A World Seen Otherwise will feature Heri Dono’s latest works, including pieces measuring approximately three meters and installation works.

According to Citra, the Bali exhibition places particular emphasis on presenting the artist’s latest creations. Meanwhile, the National Gallery of Indonesia is planning another Heri Dono exhibition in 2027, adopting a different approach by tracing his artistic journey from a historical perspective.

The exhibition at the National Gallery is scheduled to take place after the institution’s renovation is completed. In addition to displaying artworks, the organizers will present documentation and educational materials exploring Heri Dono’s artistic development.

Citra explained that this approach reflects the commitment of the National Gallery of Indonesia’s Curatorial Board to making exhibitions more than spaces for viewing artworks. They should also serve as sources of knowledge that the public can explore and learn from.

In this context, the Bali exhibition offers an opportunity to observe the latest developments in Heri Dono’s work before his broader artistic journey is presented through a historical perspective at the National Gallery of Indonesia.

When Inner Journeys Find Their Colors

Unlike Heri Dono, whose work draws extensively on tradition and social issues, Sherry Winata’s artistic practice begins with personal experiences and a spiritual journey.

Through The Divine Flow, Sherry seeks to give visual form to inner experiences that are not always easy to express in words.

She admits to being a perfectionist and once having a strong desire to find something perfect. This pursuit led her to explore various understandings of life and the universe.

Over time, however, she came to realize that the things people spend their lives searching for can also be found within themselves.

This understanding gradually developed into an exploration of what she sees as fundamental human needs: to be accepted, loved, understood, and forgiven.

Sherry observes that people often present particular personas to society, including through social media. However, the images they project do not necessarily reflect the entirety of who they are.

There are fears, anxieties, childhood experiences, and various emotions that people do not always reveal to others.

These experiences have become part of her creative process. Sherry seeks to create space for every aspect of the human self, not just the parts considered good or pleasant.

She translates this journey through explorations of color and materials. Her work incorporates hundreds of colors, with gradations that are sometimes almost imperceptible. Materials that might initially appear incompatible are brought together within a single composition.

“I give every color the opportunity and space to shine,” she said.

For Sherry, accepting oneself also means making peace with the experiences and different aspects of life one has encountered. She compares this journey to the formation of a diamond.

A diamond’s beauty lies not only in its visible brilliance but also in the lengthy process it undergoes before taking shape.

Sherry’s artistic approach is expressed through paintings and sculptures featuring explorations of color, texture, layered materials, and the use of crystals. These elements represent journeys through emotion, awareness, and the search for inner wholeness.

Asmudjo J. Irianto, the exhibition’s curator, sees these works as a meeting point between material and spiritual dimensions.

According to Asmudjo, Sherry’s works may initially appear glamorous, emphasizing the beauty of their materials. Beneath this physical appearance, however, lies the inner experience that forms the foundation of their creation.

He also identifies a fundamental difference between Sherry’s approach and that of Heri Dono. While Heri Dono’s works draw extensively on local identity, tradition, and mythology, Sherry places greater emphasis on universal experiences and the spiritual dimensions of human existence.

Two Generations, One Meeting Point

The coming together of the two artists is part of the G3N Project’s vision of fostering intergenerational dialogue within Indonesian art.

Andry Permadi, General Manager of G3N Project, said the two exhibitions reflect the organization’s commitment to broadening appreciation for Indonesian art.

Through the exhibitions, G3N Project aims to provide Indonesian artists, both those with established international reputations and members of emerging generations, with opportunities and platforms to continue developing their practices and gaining wider exposure.

Andry views the meeting of Heri Dono and Sherry Winata as a convergence of two distinct artistic approaches. Heri Dono, he said, is a maestro of Indonesian contemporary art who has brought Indonesia’s name to the international stage. Meanwhile, through The Divine Flow, Sherry explores more personal and spiritual dimensions of the relationship between the soul, the universe, and life itself.

Andry hopes the two exhibitions will enrich artistic dialogue and development while opening up new perspectives on the richness and diversity of Indonesian art.

Heri Dono brings more than four decades of artistic experience and an established international track record. His works have been collected by more than 30 art institutions and museums across various countries.

Meanwhile, Sherry Winata represents an emerging artist whose practice is rooted in personal experiences, emotions, and the exploration of diverse artistic materials.

In addition to their respective solo exhibitions, Heri Dono and Sherry Winata will also present a special collaborative artwork. The piece will bring together their ideas and creative approaches while preserving the distinct artistic identities of each artist.

Ubud as an Exhibition Destination

Regarding the choice of venue, curator Asmudjo sees Ubud as a location that resonates with both artistic approaches. The area has a living artistic and cultural tradition while also being recognized as an international destination for spiritual activities such as yoga and meditation.

According to him, Ubud offers a meeting point between local identity and universal perspectives, reflecting the distinct characteristics of both artists.