Galih Reza Suseno (Galih) is a young artist based in Yogyakarta. His artistic interests revolve around themes of spirituality, humanity, and their relationship with nature. His experiences of and contemplations on nature are expressed through the exploration of textures, achieved using modelling paste as his primary material. Galih has actively exhibited his works both nationally and internationally. In the past three years, Galih has developed the characters LOCIOUS, which represents natural elements within his works. He has held four solo exhibitions: Hope Beyond Absurdity (Tembi Rumah Budaya, 2012), Imago Dei (Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta, 2017), The Wanderlust (Srisasanti Gallery, 2021), and Universe of Now (Whitespace Art Asia, 2023). In addition, he has participated in various art competitions and received several awards, including the Basoeki Abdullah Art Award in 2017 and 2019, as well as the Gold Emerging Artist title at the UOB Painting of the Year.
Solo Exhibition
meet
THE LOCIOUS
Galih grew up in Boyolali, a small town in Central Java flanked by Mount Merapi and Mount Merbabu, where his childhood was closely connected to forests, rice fields, and rivers. His work emerges from a reflection on the changing relationship between humans and nature.
Inspired by Javanese beliefs in genius loci, the spirit that inhabits natural elements-Galih created The Locious, a fictional character embodying the four elements: Ranu (Water), Riku (Earth), Shoku (Fire), and Shu (Air). The Locious exists in an imagined universe called Ether, where humans and nature coexist in harmony.
Through textured surfaces created with acrylic paste, Galih translates childhood memories, ecological concerns, and a ritualistic painting process into visual narratives that reflect balance, presence, and respect toward the natural world.
Shoku | Fire
Ranu | Water
Shu | Air
Riku | Earth