ROH is delighted to announce Syaiful Aulia Garibaldi’s solo exhibition, Lesap, opening 23 May 2026.
Trained in Environmental Science, Syaiful Aulia Garibaldi (b. 1985; Bandung, Indonesia) works at the intersection of ecological field research, sculptural installation, and biological process, developing a practice that refuses the separation of aesthetic production from its ecological and material conditions.
Lesap (Indonesian for "to vanish”) pays closer attention to water as a connective tissue, linking the upstream communities of the Citarum River basin in Bandung to the mangrove coastline of its estuary in Muara Gembong in North Bekasi. The exhibition presents large-scale works of materials derived directly from these sites, including algae biofilms cultured from river water, shell-based sculptures, and driftwood structures. Many of these works will continue to grow and decay over the course of the exhibition.
"Decomposition is a fascinating phase," he says, "because it exists between death and birth, a condition in which we are able to appreciate both simultaneously."
The exhibition’s public programme will invite participants to contribute to a large scale mural within the gallery space, inspired by the vision of an environment submerged by water and invaded by mould that grows in sporadic thinking.
Lesap
Syaiful Aulia Garibaldi
23 May - 28 June 2026
ROH
Jalan Surabaya 66
Jakarta 10310
ARTIST
Born 1985, Jakarta, Indonesia
Lives and works in Bandung, Indonesia
Syaiful Aulia Garibaldi obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art, Printmaking Studio from the Faculty of Art and Design, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia in 2010 and his Master's Degree in Environmental Science from the University of Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia in 2023. Syaiful, fondly known as Tepu, previously pursued education in agronomy before pursuing experimental fine arts, where he applies his scientific background to create a conceptual foundation for his art. Tepu’s works in installation, painting, drawing, printmaking and video show a remarkably strong vision of art that collides with science in a graceful manner. His creation of an immersive environment was sparked by his interest in the networked and interconnected nature of ecologies, and the evocative power of microorganisms as symbols of death and decay, as well as life. Infusion between art and science transcends through Tepu’s work and gives way to a new gateway of knowledge, which is illuminated within his prints and installations.
A number of selected solo exhibitions are, among others, Lartucira Field at Yuz Museum Shanghai, Shanghai, China (2025); In Between at Mind Set Art Center, Taipei, Taiwan (2024); tumbuh at ROH, Jakarta, Indonesia (2022); Sudor at Silverlens Galleries, Manila, Philippines (2020); Lemniscate at Mind Set Art Center, Taipei, Taiwan (2018); Limaciform at Silverlens Galleries, Manila, Philippines (2017), Quiescent at ROH Projects, Jakarta (2016); and Abiogenesis: Terhah Landscape at Pearl Lam Galleries, Singapore (2014). Selected group exhibitions include 14th Jean Francois Prat Prize 2025, Le Prix Jean-François PRAT at Paris, France (2025); Symbiosis at Jendela, Esplanade, Singapore (2024); Indonesia Bertutur: VISARALOKA at Apel Watoe Art Gallery, Borobudur, Magelang, Indonesia (2022); 1 at ROH, Jakarta, Indonesia (2022); Chromatic Network at Salihara Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia (2020); And Life Goes On at Mind Set Art Center, Taipei, Taiwan (2020); Art Basel Hong Kong with ROH, Hong Kong (2019); Natural Capital (Modal Alam) at Europalia Indonesia, BOZAR, Centre for Fine Arts, Brussels, Belgium (2018); West Bund TALENT at West Bund Art Center in Shanghai, China (2017); Biennale Jogja XIV – EQUATOR #4 at Jogja National Museum, Yogyakarta, Indonesia (2017); and SEA+ Triennale "ENCOUNTER: Art from Different Lands" at National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia (2016). Tepu is part of Lokus Foundation, an interdisciplinary research and workshop unit that works between the boundaries of art and science. Tepu has had residencies at Seishodo Yamashita THE ROOM, Kyoto, Japan in 2023; ABC Learning Town, Siheung, South Korea in 2015; and Centre Intermodes, La Rochelle, France in 2014. He is awarded Best Artist for Tempo Magazine Award in 2016 and Bandung Contemporary Art Award (BaCAA) in 2013. Tepu is currently living and working in Bandung, Indonesia.
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