Alia Swastika

Biography

Alia Swastika is a curator, researcher, and writer whose practice explores decoloniality, feminism, and the decentralisation of art. Over the past decade, her work has focused on rewriting art histories, expanding perspectives beyond dominant narratives, and supporting locally rooted artistic and activist practices. She is Director of the Biennale Jogja Foundation, Yogyakarta, and continues her research on Indonesian women artists during the New Order period. From 2007 to 2017, she founded and served as Programme Director of Ark Galerie, Yogyakarta. Her curatorial appointments include co-curator of Biennale Jogja XI Equator #1 (2011), co-Artistic Director of the 9th Gwangju Biennale (2012), and Roundtable Curator for the contemporary art programme of Europalia Arts Festival (2017), with exhibitions presented at Oude Kerk, Amsterdam; M HKA, Antwerp; and S.M.A.K., Ghent. Her research on Indonesian women artists during the New Order was published in 2019.

Alia Swastika, Director at Biennala Jogja Foundation, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, has been awarded by the Getty Foundation (Los Angeles, USA).