Herlambang Bayu Aji

1988 - 1994 SD Negeri Bumi I No.67 Surakarta; 1994 - 1997 SMP Negeri 10 Surakarta; 1997 - 2000 SMK Adi Soemarmo, Karanganyar; 2001 - 2007 Bachelor of Arts, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta; 2012 - 2016 Master of Arts, Institute for Art in Context, University of Arts, Berlin, Germany

Herlambang is an independent artist whose work ranges from art objects to compelling visual pieces that reflect his distinct creative voice. Since 2013, he has been deeply committed to art education, leading workshops and creative programs at festivals and institutions across Berlin. From 2014 to 2015, he regularly led workshops at the Youth Art School, Atrium Jugendkunstschule in Berlin. Between 2018 and 2020, he collaborated with Prinzen Akademie, teaching art to children. From 2021 until now, he has been actively involved in creative projects with Freie Werkstatt Prinzip, engaging with art schools and kids’ clubs across Berlin. In 2024, he took a major step by initiating and leading the SchattenLabor Project, a Berlin-based platform that explores the intersection of light, shadow, and imagination through collaborative art

Herlambang has created dozens of works, including paintings and art performances, with most centred on Wayang, showcased in both group projects and solo exhibitions. His first work, a series of three acrylic paintings on paper titled “Dasar Kita,” was showcased from April 7th to 9th at the Fine Art Gallery, University of Sebelas Maret, Surakarta. His solo exhibition debut came in 2007 with “Sebuah Tafsir Seni Kontemporer” (A Contemporary Art Interpretation), held at V Art Gallery, Yogyakarta, from December 1st to 9th. The following year, he held his first international solo exhibition, titled “Herlambang Bayu Aji,” from December 4th to 20th at Seniorenresidenz Martinsbrunnen in Dornbirn, Austria. This was followed by other exhibitions across Germany, Belgium, England, and the Netherlands. In Indonesia, he recently completed a four-month wayang art performance tour from December 2023 to April 2024, performing his Wayang Rajakaya in 11 cities and exhibited his works titled “Animalgination”

Scholarship Beasiswa Unggulan P3SWOT Award from the Indonesian Ministry of Education 2007; Work scholarship Sonderprogramm der Berliner Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Europa 2020; Fördersäule 1 from Berliner Projektsfonds Kulturelle Bildung, for cultural education project „SchattenLabor“ in schools in Berlin 2024; IMPACT Förderung 2024 from Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt, Berlin for Wayang Rajakaya‘s Project „Die fliegende Inge“ 2024; Kulturstiftung des Freistaates Dresden 2024

Member of KEJAR Street Art Community, Surakarta (2002 - 2006); Voluntary service in SKID – sozialkulturelle Integrationsdienste Camphill Schulgeminschaften e.V. in Überlingen (2008); Participan of Young Curators Workshop, Ruang Rupa, Jakarta (2009); Member of Watch Indonesia! e.V.(2012 - 2014); Neue Geschellschaft Bildende Kunst Berlin e.V. (2012 - 2015)

His greatest achievement is staying true to his passion by continuing to create Wayang Rajakaya. Being able to freely express himself, follow his heart, and earn a living through his creativity is both a dream fulfilled and a lasting source of inspiration

Javanese, Bahasa Indonesia, English, German

Football and cycling

In 2024, Herlambang performed Wayang Rajakaya’s “Die fliegende Inge” in Germany over three weeks. This wayang performance, was especially meaningful because it took place outdoors, just like in Indonesia. Despite the freezing weather, the audience remained fully engaged, and many gathered afterward to see the Wayang up close. One elderly man, moved to tears, told Herlambang it had been a long time since he’d witnessed such a beautiful performance. That moment deeply touched Herlambang and renewed his passion for performing. Another significant experience came during his four-month tour of Wayang Rajakaya across 11 cities in Indonesia. He was deeply moved by the enthusiastic response from both children and adults. These two personal experiences strengthened his belief that Wayang holds a powerful and universal connection that transcends cultures

Involved in SchattenLabor (Shadow Laboratory) 2024–2025, providing cultural education to schools, funded by the Senate

Be persistent, don’t give up easily, work hard, build networks with everyone, and meet the right people who can help push you forward.

https://herbaji.wordpress.com/

Information available only in printed publication available in libraries.