Promotheus: Shadow and Fire

b. 1960, Indonesia; based in Yogyakarta

Trained in wayang kulit, a vibrant and eclectic art form that enacts complex narratives often derived from ancient mythology, Heri Dono’s art draws from his training in shadow puppet theatre and then combines it with influences from Western pop culture and his own commentary on contemporary socio-political issues. In this work, he has created his own puppet-like figure, which resembles a cartoon character with its distorted limbs and strange facial expression. Unlike traditional puppets which are made of leather, the artist has used cardboard, adapting it to embrace the contemporary world of machines, robots, and television. The artist often uses elements of the grotesque to critique political institutions as well as to explore the human condition.