The exhibition title MuMoToMo is a symbolic abbreviation of the artists’ names—Murni, Mokoh, Totol, and Mondo—emphasising the deep connection they shared. Through Mondo’s perspective as both archivist and storyteller, the exhibition traces the shared journey of these four artists, who created within the confines of their commune, unknowingly contributing to an artistic legacy that would transcend their lifetimes.
Each of the four artists brought distinct yet complementary influences to their collective practice. Mokoh, disillusioned with the commercialisation of traditional Balinese art, found a renewed sense of purpose through a fateful encounter with Mondo. This meeting would lead to a creative exchange that would eventually draw in Murni, a Balinese transmigrant whose bold, visionary style has only recently garnered global recognition. The final member, Totol, embraced a true outsider aesthetic, finding his creative voice and a supportive community within this group, despite being largely dismissed by society.
Mondo has organised the exhibition into six thematic categories, offering the audience a deep, posthumous reflection on the artists’ collective body of works:
- The Gift and Curse of Life: A meditation on life’s blessings and struggles, especially through Murni’s poignant exploration of maternity and personal trauma.
- Echoes and Mirrors: Obsessions, Repetitions, and Duplications: A study of recurring themes and creative dialogues between the artists, particularly around identity and artistic fixation.
- The Serpent: Myths and Traditions: An exploration of the symbolic power of the serpent, drawing from Balinese mythology and other cultural influences.
- Digits and Digital: A reflection on the rise of digital technology and its impact on modern art and culture.
- Power of the Kiss: Desire, Connection, and Beyond: An intimate look at the role of desire and connection in the artists’ works, ranging from the explicit to the philosophical.
- The Biographical: 3, 2, 1, Action!: A celebration of Murni’s dynamic use of the term “Action” in her late works, embodying her defiance and creative autonomy.
