Bandung, Indonesia – Ruang Dini Gallery in Bandung has opened its doors to a unique exploration of childhood nostalgia and artistic evolution with Achmad Toriq’s debut solo painting exhibition, Marginalia Lipatan Waktu (Marginalia: Folds of Time). Running from August 7 to September 4, 2026, the exhibition showcases over a dozen acrylic paintings by the East Java-born artist, each radiating with the unadulterated joy of living, meticulously captured on canvas.
Toriq, originally from Pasuruan, embarks on a fascinating artistic journey, translating the beloved robot superhero figures that captivated his childhood from paper sketches to vibrant acrylics. Icons such as Shogun, Gundam, and Voltes, alongside contemporary heroes like Robocop and the Mandalorian, leap from his canvases in a distinctive style reminiscent of children’s drawings, yet imbued with a professional artist’s touch. The artist, born in 1990, reveals that his obsession with televised robot cartoons during his upper elementary school years (grades 4 through 6) was the genesis of this visual narrative. This early passion found its outlet in the margins of his school notebooks, where he meticulously sketched his robotic idols and other cherished cartoon characters.
Beyond the animated screen, Toriq’s early artistic endeavors drew inspiration from comics and posters, which he diligently copied. His preferred tools then were pencils and ballpoint pens for outlines, with a humble set of twelve markers providing the color. Since 2024, these cherished memories have been reimagined and transferred onto canvas, with Toriq employing innovative techniques to texture the surface, creating the illusion of wavy, folded, and crumpled lined notebook paper. "This is a psychological record of mine that has carried over into adulthood," Toriq shared with Tempo on Sunday, August 9, 2026, offering a glimpse into the profound personal connection embedded within each piece.
The inspiration for this captivating body of work stemmed from Toriq’s introspective reflection on the sources of happiness in his life. The artist, who earned a degree in Fine Arts Education from the State University of Surabaya in 2015, found himself revisiting his childhood, pinpointing the simple, yet profound, joy of watching a 30-minute cartoon series on television.
"If I missed it because I was sent to the corner shop or told to take a bath, that moment of happiness would be lost," the artist recalled, highlighting a stark contrast to the present technological era where re-watching any program is effortlessly accessible. This sentiment underscores a core theme of the exhibition: the precious, fleeting nature of childhood joys and the enduring power of nostalgia.
Through this journey of nostalgia, Achmad Toriq meticulously revisits the characters that populate his artwork. His process involves re-watching animated series, delving into relevant literature, and exploring visual references. However, his final artistic choices remain deeply personal, guided by the boundless freedom of his imagination and intuition. From character selection and compositional elements to the subtle modification of details from the source material, Toriq asserts that he no longer paints with the unrefined hand of his childhood.
"I try to draw with the naivety of a child, though I cannot deny that my mind has been influenced by the art knowledge I gained during college, for instance," he muses, acknowledging the intricate balance between untamed creativity and academic refinement.
Toriq also points out a noticeable shift in his recent painting style, which diverges from his earlier, more illustration-oriented work. The artist, who also serves as a junior high school art teacher, is no stranger to critical acclaim. His impressive accolades include winning a top prize in the emerging artist category at the 2013 UOB Painting of the Year competition and securing the prestigious "Best Work" title at the 2016 Painting Competition organized by PPPPTK Seni Budaya Yogyakarta. These earlier achievements foreshadow the depth and talent now on full display in Marginalia Lipatan Waktu, an exhibition that promises to transport viewers back to the innocence and joy of their own formative years, seen through the unique and evolving lens of Achmad Toriq.
