Benny Widyo (1993) is an artist, curator, and producer based in Tulungagung, with a background in photography and cultural studies. His collective works have been featured in Biennale Jogja (2019), Makassar Biennale (2020), Pekan Kebudayaan Nasional (2023), and the Basoeki Abdullah Art Awards #5 Finalist Exhibition (2024). Benny also served as the Artistic Director of Biennale Jatim IX (2021).
In late 2019, Benny initiated Gulung Tukar, a multidisciplinary cultural arts collective in Tulungagung focusing on fostering inclusivity within cultural spaces. Together with his collective, he has collaborated with various local, national, and international cultural agencies, including the Prince Claus Fund, British Council, and the Indonesian Ministry of Culture. In 2024, Benny was a speaker at Meeting Point 2024: Perspectives from the Grassroots hosted by Mekong Cultural Hub in Hanoi, Vietnam, and a participant in the International Visitors’ Program by Nieuwe Instituut, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Benny’s work addresses social issues, particularly equality and accessibility. He believes that equitable distribution of access and knowledge is fundamental to fostering inclusivity. His artistic practice includes organising communities and managing archives and localities to keep evolving with future possibilities.
I am a researcher, designer, and visual artist working at the intersection of art, history, and community. My practice is rooted in collaborative processes and community-based approaches, driven by the belief that art can serve as a tool for inclusive dialogue and social transformation.
I explore the relationship between local narratives and global issues, such as the environment, freedom of expression, and solidarity. By integrating artistic research, design, and visual interventions, I often create interdisciplinary projects that respond to traditions, contemporary challenges, and collective memory.
Over the past five years, my experience with Gulung Tukar in Tulungagung has strengthened my commitment to cultural decentralization, solidarity, and the development of an equitable arts ecosystem. I believe that art can grow from simple acts: gathering, sharing stories, or spending time together. These moments naturally open up spaces for artistic collaboration.
Currently, my focus is on reexamining history, advocating for freedom of expression, and addressing environmental concerns. Through my works, I aim to create spaces where tradition and contemporary expressions converge, resulting in artistic experiences that are relevant and meaningful to a wider audience.
Member of @pendulum.id
Coordinator & Curator of @gulung.tukar
Education
Gadjah Mada University – Master in Media & Cultural Studies
Indonesia Institute of the Arts of Yogyakarta – Bachelor ini Photography
Exhibition
Curatorial, Programming, Managing
Experience, Participation, Volunteering
2024
Conversation with Nothings – Basoeki Abdullah Arts Award #5 Finalist Exhibition (in collaboration with Ella Chedburn and Gulung Tukar)
Coordinator, Curator, and Creative Designer – Bertukar Gagasan, Bergulung Keberlanjutan (The Gulung Tukar series of programmes includes Gutuskul, Gulkar Press, GutuSkolMus, 4S5P, Kopisinema and KALAJALA) — supported by Dana Indonesiana (Indonesian Ministry of Culture)
Speaker at the RE:KARYA International Video Festival by DKV Telkom University Purwokerto Session The Stones Speak
Speaker at the 2024 Equator Symposium by Biennale Jogja roundtable session “Care Work and Cultural Solidarity”.
Participant in the International Visitors’ Programme of the Nieuwe Instituut, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and co-host of the Arus Balik – GUD Instituut Living Room, presented a workshop with Gatari entitled “How the book could read us?
Participant-speaker – Hitting Pause: Examining Purpose and Practice — Curated Conference, Meeting Point 2024 – Perspectives From The Grassroots by Mekong Cultural Hub – Hanoi, Vietnam 21-23 March 2024 — (Monthly Meeting as the process since July 2023)
2023
Pekan Kebudayaan Nasional 2023, Galeri Nasional Indonesia (Collective – Gulung Tukar)
SUKA Photography Exhibiton, Kelas Pagi Kediri
Festival Director & Creative Designer – Nyawang Swara #3
Curator of Aftermath: Afterglow by Suddenly Movement / May 2023
Producer, Curator, and Creative Designer of The Trees & The Wires – an Art Project & Residency in collaboration with Ella Chedburn (UK) and Gulung Tukar (ID) / Mar-June 2023 — supported by British Council
Visual Communication Designer & Photographer of Bebunyian 2023
Visual Communication Designer Orasis Art Space (Aug ’23 – Feb ’24)
Photographer for Exhibition View & Opening Ceremony – Tirtodipuran Link (Srisasanti Syndicate) (Aug ’18 – Jul ’23)
2022
Erlangga Art Awards 2022 Goes to Jogja!, Langgeng Art Foundation (Collective – Gulung Tukar)
Erlangga Art Awards 2022 – Erlangga
Installation Festival, National Museum of
Indonesia (Collective – Gulung Tukar)
— Silver Award
Curator – Selasar Seni Daha 22 – Flowers & Blooms – Radar Kediri / 22-23 Dec 2022
Team Coordinator, Curator, and Creative Designer – Constructive Form – Gulung Tukar / 20 Nov – 30 Dec 2022
Artistic Director of Biennale Jatim IX / The 9th of East Java Biennale (January 2021 – June 2022) — supported by Goethe Institut
Speaker at Simposium Khatutlistiwa 2022 “Kuat Akar, Kuat Tanah” Biennale Jogja
2021
Team Coordinator & Creative Designer – Gutu x BJIX – 4 Programs of Biennale Jatim IX – Gulung Tukar, Tulungagung, Indonesia
Team Coordinator, Curator, and Creative Designer – Jejak Laku, Tidak Baku | Archive & Artwork Showcase | 3-11 Dec 2021 – Gulung Tukar, Tulungagung, Indonesia
Team Coordinator, Curator, and Creative Designer – Layar Berkembang, Kemudi Diputar | Exhibition , Screening and Programs | 1 – 11 April 2021 – Gulung Tukar, Tulungagung, Indonesia — supported by Prince Claus Fund
Creative Designer at Pixelfurst (remote)
[Augt 18 – June 21]
2020
Clickbite @clickbite.project – #KaryaNormalBaru Makassar Biennale x Jakarta Biennale x Biennale Jogja (In Collaboration with Christian Dwiky Sirait)
Jejak Demokrasi Pemuda Jogja, Archives Exhibition of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Virtual Exhibition
Rest in Fear #3 Mural Collaboration Project with Malang Mural Family (MMF) and Excris dkk. (Tulungagung) – part of Biennale Jatim 8 (Collective – Pendulum)
Team Coordinator, Curator, and Creative Designer – Buka Kunci, Tangkap Layar | Archiving Projects & Collaborative Performance | 1 Oct 2020 – 1 Dec 2020 – Gulung Tukar, Tulungagung, Indonesia — supported by Prince Claus Fund
Volunteer Solidaritas Pangan Jogja (Jogja Food Solidarity) – Dapur 8 & Zine #1 Contributor
Participant of Visual Arts Critical Writing Masterclass with Bambang Bujono, Jakarta Arts Council
Participant of Art Management Workshop – Shifting Realities
2019
Biennale Jogja XV – Equator #5, Jogja National Museum, Yogyakarta, Indonesia (Collective – Pendulum)
Pameran Platform Perupa Muda – PraBiennale Jogja XV – Equator #5, Pusat Kebudayaan Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri UGM, Yogyakarta, Indonesia (Collective – Pendulum)
Team Coordinator, Curator, and Creative Designer – Turunkan Jangkar, Kembangkan Layar | Photo Exhibition, Screening, and Daily Programs | Biennale Jatim 8 | 27 Dec 2019 – 12 Jan 2020 – Gulung Tukar, Tulungagung, Indonesia
Documentation Volunteer Kelas Inspirasi Purbalingga #2
Participant of Exhibition Making Workshop for Young Artists – LIR Space
2018
Art Director – Pixelfurst (Full time) [August 17 – July 18]
Documentation Volunteer Kelas Inspirasi Sukabumi #3
Documentation Volunteer Kelas Inspirasi Tasikmalaya #5
2017
Jury of Photography Competition – Festival Bonorowo Menulis 2017
Documentation Volunteer Kelas Inspirasi Tulungagung #5
2016
Theirs Mine | Solo Exhibition, Galeri R. J. Katamsi, Bantul, Indonesia
Editor-in-Chief & Graphic Designer – 031 | 12 03 16 Post Event-Catalog – ISBN 978-979-8242-91-5
Documentation Volunteer Kelas Inspirasi Tulungagung #4
2015
Sightseeing | Group Exhibiton, Galeri IFI-LIP, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Connect with Known, Unknown, and Others | Group Exhibition, Ruang Mes 56, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Participant Documentary Photography Workshop with Yannick Cormier – Printemp Francais 2015
2014
Nothing Ordinary | Group Exhibition, Jogja National Museum, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Artistic Coordinator & Creative Designer – KITa Festival at GOR Tri Dharma,Tulungagung