Febri Anugerah, a master’s student in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), was selected as Indonesia’s delegate for the Tropical Lab Singapore 2026 International Art Camp. Hosted by LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore from July 16 to 31, the program brought together more than 22 MA and PhD art students from countries including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, India, Serbia, and South Africa etc.
Now in its 20th year, Tropical Lab serves as a collaborative platform for emerging artists to expand their artistic practice through research, dialogue, and cross-cultural exchange. Centered around the theme Terra, the 2026 edition invited participants to reflect on the earth as an evolving material, ecological, and social space shaped by technological transformation and environmental challenges.
Throughout the two-week residency, Febri participated in intensive studio visits, gallery tours, lectures, and seminar discussions led by internationally recognized artists, curators, and academics. He also presented his artistic research, which draws on Indonesian local knowledge to explore the relationship between people, place, and the environment.
The residency concluded with a group exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore (ICAS), where participants presented artworks developed during the program.
For the final exhibition, Febri created an installation using upcycled plastics and reclaimed studio materials. Rooted in the Javanese philosophy Memayu Hayuning Bawana, which emphasizes humanity’s responsibility to preserve harmony between people and nature, the installation features clay Tembesu leaves (Fagraea fragrans) enclosed in transparent tubes resembling scientific specimens. Surrounding the tubes are birds and landscape forms constructed from discarded synthetic materials, illustrating how artificial substances have become deeply embedded within natural ecosystems. Through this juxtaposition, the work invites viewers to reflect on humanity’s environmental footprint and the collective responsibility to care for the earth. Febri’s participation in Tropical Lab Singapore 2026 reflects UGM’s commitment to strengthening international academic engagement and interdisciplinary artistic collaboration.
The program also contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
- SDG 4 (Quality Education): through international learning and knowledge exchange.
- SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): by promoting environmental awareness through artistic practice.
- SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): by fostering global collaboration among higher education and arts institutions. (FA)
