Samantha Mintio
As a visual artist with a profound foundation in analog photography, Mintio seamlessly blends traditional lens-based techniques with avant-garde approaches. She has developed distinctive aesthetic qualities with the medium that transcends conventional boundaries of photography. Through a meticulous interplay of materials, alternative photography techniques, and a keen exploration of the extended image, Mintio's work is a compelling journey through the realms of time, personal narratives, spatial and social dynamics.
At the heart of Mintio's practice is a fascination with the manipulation of time. Her early photographic series, “Concrete Euphoria” was created through the use of large format photography and a performative approach to capturing light from urban landscapes. Through layering and condensing temporal fragments onto various surfaces, the artist captures time and space as an invitation for viewers to contemplate the fluidity of time itself. This artistic approach to analog photography can also be seen Mintio’s largest public artworks at the Orchard Station of the Thomson East Coast Line.
Mintio's works, often presented large-scale, create immersive experiences. Her works “Penghibur Hati Lara (Solace for the Heart)” commissioned by the Asian Film Archive and “The Currents We Call Home (Arus Berlabuh Kita)” Some of her pieces extend into the realm of installation, transforming spaces into dynamic environments that engage the senses and challenge perceptions. The scale of Mintio's creations amplifies the impact of the intricate layers and textures, inviting viewers to explore the nuances within each piece.
Mintio’s artworks have been acquired by Google, Singapore Art Museum, NUS Museum and by the Art in Embassies (AIE), a U.S. Department of State program. She has also exhibited at global venues such as Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (Beijing), National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne), National Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art (Seoul) & San Domenico Museum (Forlì, Italy). She has also been commissioned by the Busan Biennale Committee, Singapore Art Museum and Land Transport Authority Singapore.
As a broadening of her practice as a visual artist, Mintio is an educator at Nanyang Technological University and at the National Gallery Singapore. She is also the Co:Founder and Chief of Communities at Co:Creation Workshop, a social enterprise that provides experimental art education programmes to schools, corporations and Voluntary Welfare Organisations. Mintio is passionately engaged in leveraging art experiences to activate awareness towards inclusive practices and create meaningful dialogues. The commitment to inclusivity is reflected in Mintio's former role as the Founding Artistic Director of the Ketemu Project in Bali, Indonesia, from 2015 to 2019. During this time, Mintio established creative exchanges through residency programs and initiated groundbreaking creative entrepreneurship programs to demonstrate the value of disabled individuals' participation in Indonesia's creative economies.
The artistic journey of Mintio is a testament to the constant evolution and reinvention within the realm of visual art. Through a fusion of photography, material exploration, alternative techniques, education, and community engagement, Mintio invites audiences to embark on a sensory and intellectual exploration, where the boundaries of time and space are interlaced and distorted, and art becomes a catalyst for positive change and inclusivity.
The "kelambu," or mosquito net, is a common and cherished household item in tropical regions. It serves not only as a protective barrier against insects but also as a symbol of comfort, safety, and familial bonding. Under the kelambu, families, especially those with young children, share intimate moments before bedtime, exchanging stories and hugs as they prepare for sleep.In this residency, Mintio will create an installation that emulates the kelambu, drawing inspiration from its cultural significance. This installation will evolve throughout the residency, incorporating images collected from the island and narratives sourced from the local community.
Participants will actively contribute to this collaborative artwork by creating fabric collages and embroidering photographic images onto the kelambu, blending traditional crafts with contemporary art forms.The process will be interactive and dynamic, allowing the installation to grow and transform over time. By involving the community in the creation process, the project not only honors the kelambu's role in daily life but also fosters a deeper connection among participants as they share their stories and creativity. This collective effort will culminate in a richly textured and meaningful piece that reflects the spirit of the community and the cultural importance of the kelambu.
During the Ubah Rumah residency on Nikoi Island, Samantha Mintio created a site-specific installation to address pressing environmental issues. This immersive installation, set within the island’s lush forest, was designed to engage visitors in a reflective exploration of rising sea levels—a critical concern for Indonesia’s disappearing islands.
The installation guides guests through the verdant trails of the forest, encouraging contemplation of the fragile interplay between land and sea. By integrating art with the natural environment, the installation highlights the significant impact of environmental changes on coastal regions and ecosystems.
This experience aimed to foster a deeper understanding of ecological challenges while offering a unique interaction between art and nature. Visitors were invited to engage with the installation to explore and reflect on the urgent issue of sea level rise and its implications for the future of Indonesia’s island communities. The installation provided a meaningful and thought-provoking journey through the forest, emphasising the intersection of environmental awareness and artistic expression.
As part of the Ubah Rumah residency program, a special evening was organised on Nikoi Island, where families were invited to the Ubah Rumah studio for an engaging storytelling event led by artist Samantha Mintio. This event was designed to foster community and creativity, with participants gathering under a specially designed mosquito net installation. The setting created an intimate environment for sharing favourite bedtime stories, enhanced by the use of lights and shadows to bring these tales to life.
The event also highlighted Samantha Mintio's research into the legendary tales of Hang Tua, a figure deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the Riau Islands region. By integrating these stories into the shadow play, Mintio provided an enchanting experience for children and their parents and created a meaningful connection to the local culture and history surrounding Nikoi Island.
Participants, including children and their families, met at the Kids Club before proceeding to the studio. The use of torch lights, provided in each room, was an integral part of the experience, allowing attendees to actively participate in creating shadows and shapes that animated the stories. This event fostered an appreciation for regional folklore while offering a creative and memorable experience for all involved.
As part of the Ubah Rumah residency on Nikoi Island, the artwork "Gelbambung Tiup" (or "Blowing Bubbles" in English) was created to evoke themes of childhood and play. This installation features a series of flags designed to mimic the movement of bubbles being blown and is positioned along the island's jetty.
The installation utilizes images from around Nikoi Island, incorporated into the flags to capture the island's essence. The flags' playful design is intended to celebrate the joy of childhood and the simple pleasure of play. By simulating the gentle movement of bubbles, the artwork creates a whimsical and inviting atmosphere for visitors.
"Gelbambung Tiup" serves as an ode to the innocence and wonder of childhood, welcoming families to engage with the island's natural beauty and each other through play. The flags, installed along the jetty, are strategically placed to greet visitors as they arrive, enhancing their experience and encouraging a sense of fun and exploration.
This installation not only reflects the artist's deep appreciation for the playful aspects of childhood but also integrates the local environment into the artwork, creating a vibrant and interactive experience for families. Through this installation, the artist aims to foster a sense of joy and connection with the island, celebrating both the beauty of Nikoi and the timeless spirit of play.
Date: 22nd June, Saturday 10am (meet at sunset bar)
Duration: 20 mins
Step into the heart of Nikoi Island’s lush forest and discover a thought-provoking site-specific installation created by the artist-in-residence at Ubah Rumah. This immersive forest tour invites guest to reflect on the critical issues of rising sea levels, which threaten to engulf many of Indonesia’s vanishing isles.
As you wander through the verdant trails, the installation will prompt you to contemplate the delicate balance between land and sea. Engage with the art and nature in a unique way that highlights the profound impact of environmental changes on our world. This experience is perfect for those who cherish nature and seek a deeper understanding of the ecological challenges we face.
Join us for this evocative journey through the forest, where art and environment converge to tell a vital story.
Duration: 45 mins
Date: 22nd June Saturday, 7:30pm
Join us for a magical evening on Nikoi Island with artist Samantha Mintio at the Ubah Rumah studio! As part of the Ubah Rumah residency program, families are invited to gather under the cozy embrace of a special mosquito net and share your favorite bedtime stories. Bring your torch light and watch as Samantha uses lights and shadows to bring these tales to life.
Meet us at the Kids Club and prepare for an enchanting night filled with wonder, creativity, and community. This will be an unforgettable experience for kids and parents alike, fostering cherished memories through the art of shadow play. Don’t forget your torch light (in your room) and a sense of wonder!
Samatha Mintio wrote a beautiful reflection of her time on Nikoi with the Ubah Rumah residency for Nikoi's blog. Through a collaboration with her daughter, they documented life as a child on the island - "On Nikoi, no one ages. A short stay of just three days can lift years off your current age. And for children? Here, they rule and roam free."
Read more about Samantha Mintio's experience here: https://nikoi.com/nikoi-island-our-childhood-eden/
Selected image from “Wax on our fingers”, relational project by Budi Agung Kuswara and Samantha Mintio
Selected installation image from “The Current/s We Call Home”, by Budi Agung Kuswara and Samantha Mintio
Ubah Rumah is an art residency and archive inspired by stories of our region.
