Muhammad Yakin
(b. 1992)
Born in Bukittinggi, works and lives in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Muhammad Yakin is an artist who graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Indonesia Institute of The Arts in
Yogyakarta. His works result from his observations of what he calls the gray area, a realm filled with
vagueness and ambiguity that allows him the freedom to explore and express various perspectives. These
observations presently lead to a metaphorical exploration of humanity's quest for truth within the intricacies
of the universe's reality. Through this exploration, he creates anthropomorphic figures with singular, complex,
and dynamic backgrounds. Expressed through monochromatic ink strokes forming a black-and-white
foundation in his paintings. With his meticulous layering technique, he shapes the transition from darkness to
light, reflecting the multiple layers within the gray area.
He was named The Most Promising Artist of the Year at the 2019 UOB Painting of the Year awards and later
received the 2024 UOB Painting of the Year award. He recently completed a residency at the Cité
internationale des arts in France.
Honors and Awards
2025 Artist-in-Residence, Cité internationale des arts, Paris, France (NAFA x UOB Residency Programme)
2024 Painting of the Year, 14th UOB Painting of the Year, Indonesia
2019 The Most Promising Artist of the Year, 9th UOB Painting of the Year, Indonesia
Solo Exhibition
2025 Recurrence, Nadi Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
2021 Causality / Moment / Perception, Ace House Collective, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Selected Group Exhibitions
2025 Réalités Altérées by DF Art Project, La Serre de l'Orangerie, Parc André Citroën, Paris, France
The Annual One Piece Club Indonesia - Collectors’ Show, RUCI Art, Jakarta, Indonesia
Salon et Cetera, Ace House Collective, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Nature, Everyday Life and Glimpses of the Past, Gajah Gallery, Singapore
2024 Sign System, Yuan Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
UOB Painting of the Year 2024, National Gallery of Singapore, Singapore
ARTSUBS: Ways of Dreaming, Pos Bloc Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
UOB Painting of the Year 2024, A. A. Maramis Building, Jakarta, Indonesia
One Piece Club Indonesia - Collectors’ Show, Gajah Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
Mantagi by Sakato Art Community, Kiniko Art , Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Salon et Cetera, Ace House Collective, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Know Thyself, Unicorn Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
Minisphere, Getback Parlour, Jakarta, Indonesia
Grey Award, Grey Gallery, Bandung, Indonesia
2022 Yogya Young Artist: PAINTING, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Bakaba #8: Noise by Sakato Art Community, Sarang Building Il, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Tiga Tahun dari Sekarang #3, Ruang Dalam Art House, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
After Mooi Indie #4, R. J. Katamsi Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2021 Broken White Project: Touchdown JKT!, RUCI Art Space, Jakarta, Indonesia
wARTa, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Broken White Project, Ace House Collective, Yogyakarya, Indonesia
2019 UOB Painting of The Year 2019, Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Perupa Muda #4: PaP!, Bale Banjar Sangkring, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Darah Muda #3: Refresh, Kiniko Art, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
UOB Painting of the Year 2019, The National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
BEBAS by Sakato Art Community, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
After Moi Indie #3, R. J. Katamsi Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2018 Ingredients%, Limanjawi Art House, Magelang, Indonesia
BAKABA #7: Zaman Now, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Otak Kanan, Ruang Dalam Art House, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2017 BAKABA #6: INDONESIA, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia