CIRCLE OF HUMANS, ANIMALS AND UNIVERSE

Bung Tiok (Kokoh Yulistio Wahono)

Kokoh Yulistio Wahono, widely known as Bung Tiok, is an Indonesian visual artist born in Lumajang, East Java, on July 3, 1980, and currently based in Bali. His artistic practice explores the relationship between humans and nature through a decorative-surrealistic approach, often incorporating figures, animals, landscapes, organic patterns, and spiritual symbolism into his works.

Growing up between the mountainous landscape of Mount Semeru and the southern coast of Java deeply shaped Bung Tiok’s artistic sensibility. His works are strongly influenced by agrarian life and the elemental forces of nature—air, earth, water, and fire—which frequently appear as metaphors for life, balance, and transformation. He often relates these ideas to the concept of “Tantra,” viewing it as a philosophy of harmony between humanity, the natural world, and spiritual existence.

Active since the early 2000s, Bung Tiok has participated in numerous exhibitions both in Indonesia and internationally. His notable exhibitions include the group exhibition Indonation in Spain (2004), the solo exhibition Tantra at K-Naya Art Space, Pasuruan (2023), and Kala at NW Art Space, Yogyakarta (2024). In 2026, he also represented Indonesia at the international Hanoi Art Hands exhibition in Vietnam alongside several Indonesian contemporary artists.