Bio
Benny Widyo is an artist, curator, and producer from Tulungagung, East Java, currently based in Batam, Riau Islands, Indonesia. He studied photography and holds an academic background in Cultural and Media Studies. His practice operates at the intersection of visual art, artistic research, curatorial practice, community organizing, and archiving, with a focus on social issues, local histories, and environmental change.
His collaborative works and projects have been presented in a range of platforms, including Biennale Jogja 2019, Makassar Biennale 2020, Pekan Kebudayaan Nasional 2023, and the finalist exhibition of the Basoeki Abdullah Art Award #5 in 2024. He also served as Artistic Director of Biennale Jatim IX from 2021 to 2022.
In late 2019, Benny co-founded Gulung Tukar, a multidisciplinary arts and cultural collective based in Tulungagung. Through this collective, he has developed projects that connect artistic practice with community work, education, and archiving. Gulung Tukar has collaborated with organizations including Prince Claus Fund, Goethe-Institut Indonesia, British Council Indonesia, and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia.
In 2024, Benny was selected as a fellow and speaker at Meeting Point 2024, organized by Mekong Cultural Hub, and as a participant in the International Visitors Programme by Nieuwe Instituut. In 2025, he presented the paper Kutho Tirto: Performing Counter-Histories in a Swamp-City at the SDEA Theatre Arts Conference 2025.
Through interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches, Benny activates archives, oral histories, and local knowledge as mediums for re-reading collective memory and imagining more inclusive, sustainable, and locally rooted cultural ecosystems.
Statement
I am an artist and cultural practitioner working across photography, artistic research, archiving, and collective-based cultural practice. My work explores the relationship between history, environment, and lived space, particularly in relation to free expression, collective memory, and civic space.
My background in photography and Media and Cultural Studies shaped my transition from image-making toward research-based and collaborative practice. Alongside visual production, I work through curatorial projects, cultural programming, publications, and archival initiatives that connect artistic inquiry with broader social and political contexts.
Over the past several years, I have initiated and co-founded collective platforms including Pendulum and Gulung Tukar. Through these collective practices, I engage collaborative methodologies that combine artistic research, community-based processes, and archival approaches, often developed through long-term engagement with specific communities and local contexts.
My practice responds to the shifting social and political landscape in Indonesia, where historical narratives, environmental justice, and civic participation continue to be contested. I am interested in how artistic practice can create space for critical reflection, alternative narratives, and public dialogue amidst ecological and political change.
In recent years, I have expanded my practice through curatorial residencies, performance-based works, facilitation, and international collaborations. Moving between collective and individual trajectories, I continue to develop research-driven practices that connect art, ecology, history, and civil society.
Education
Gadjah Mada University – Master in Media and Cultural Studies
Indonesia Institute of the Arts of Yogyakarta – Bachelor in Photography
State Senior High School 1 Kedungwaru, Tulungagung – Science Program
State Junior High School 3 Tulungagung
Exhibition
Curatorial, Programming, Managing
Experience, Participation, Volunteering
2026
Member of Gulung Tukar Collective
Member of Pendulum Collective
Producer, Paruh: Bango no. 7 dari Kolam Biner – Experimental Performance Project by Zumna A. K.
2025
Curatorial Resident, MTN Lab: Residensi Yogyakarta – Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia x Biennale Jogja Foundation, Yogyakarta. Also writer and designer for CA-TA-LOGUE LAB – Post-event Catalogue.
Creative Mentor, Advocacy Works for Children and Young People – ECPAT Bali, Bali. Mentored Regional Children’s Forum (FAD) members across Bali in developing creative advocacy works.
Co-Curator & Editor-in-Chief, Festival Budaya Spiritual 2025: Yatra Tuk Jiwa – Directorate of Belief in One Almighty God and Indigenous Communities (BKMA), Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia x Tulungagung Regency Government
Panelist & Paper Presenter, Theatre Arts Conference 2025 – Singapore Drama Educators Association (SDEA), Singapore. Participated in two sessions: Earth Wisdom: Environmental Arts for Our Tomorrow (panel discussion) and Kutho Tirto: Performing Counter-Histories in a Swamp-City (paper presentation, HISTORICITY theme).
Speaker and Judge for GARTMEDIA: Photography Workshop & Competition, Faculty of Languages and Arts, UNESA
Speaker – Discussion Session “Collective Sustainability and Independent Economic Practices”
Organized by Sudut Kalisat, Jember
Guest Lecturer for Still Life & Portrait Photography classes, Fine Arts Department, Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA).
Speaker (Presentation) at Arts Gathering Hosted by the British Council
Facilitator at wiCARA: MANAGERIAL Biennale Jatim XI
Indonesia Speaker at Tjilacap International Film Festival
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
Graphic Designer & Photographer, Derma Sajak – a Charity with Music & Poetry
2014
Nothing Ordinary | Group Exhibition, Jogja National Museum, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Artistic Coordinator & Creative Designer – KITa Festival at GOR Tri Dharma,Tulungagung
Documentation Volunteer of Kelas Inspirasi Tulungagung #2 – SDN 1 & 2 Bulusari, Kedungwaru.
2013
Jalan Menuju Media Kreatif #5, Institute Francais
Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia
Exhibition for Diffable Day Jogja National Museum, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Chairperson, ABCDAY Try Out & Sharing – FKMT-Yogyakarta | Held at Ganesha Operation Learning Center, Tulungagung
Teaching Volunteer of Kelas Inspirasi Tulungagung #1 – SDN 1 Mojoarum
2012
Forum Komunikasi Seni Exhibition 2012 Bentara Budaya Solo, Indonesia
Chairperson, Arpega Grand Reunion (Class of 2005–2011) State Junior High School 3 Tulungagung
Vice Chairperson, FKMT-Yogyakarta (Tulungagung Student Communication Forum – Yogyakarta) Term: 2012–2013
Vice Chairperson, Photography Student Association Faculty of Media Arts, ISI Yogyakarta – Term: 2012–2013
Secretary, Campus Fair Smariduta 2012
2011
Kenduri Class of 2010 Exhibition, Media Rekam Gallery, Bantul, Indonesia
2010
“Mengisi” – FSMR Inaugural Exhibition 2010
Media Rekam Gallery, Bantul, Indonesia
2009
1st Place, Student Category – Photography Competition Held in commemoration of World AIDS Day, Tulungagung
2008
Pradana Putra, Scout Youth Leader – SMAN 1 Kedungwaru Term: 2008–2009
Coordinator, National Defense Education Committee Student Council (OSIS), SMAN 1 Kedungwaru – Term: 2008–2009
Coordinator, Event Documentation Committee Student Council (OSIS), SMAN 1 Kedungwaru – Term: 2008–2009
Participant, 9th National Raimuna Scout Camp Buperta Cibubur, DKI Jakarta, 2009
2007
Student with the Highest National and School Final Examination (UAN & UAS) Scores State Junior High School 3 Tulungagung
2006
Participant, 8th National Scout Jamboree Buper Kiarapayung, Jatinangor, Sumedang, West Java, 2006