Steven Towirjo

“My sculptures, which are made in predominantly natural earthy hues, are influenced by motifs from my own Javanese culture and other cultures as well.”

Steven Towirjo is a self-taught ceramic artist. His first encounter with clay and ceramics was in the studio of his uncle, well known Surinamese visual artist Soeki Irodikromo, where he helped out as a part-time frame-maker. From the moment he got his first piece of clay to experiment with, Towirjo became hooked.

Steven Towirjo creates ceramic sculptures inspired by the rich multicultural society he was raised in. His sculptures, which are made in predominantly natural earthy hues, are influenced by motifs from his own Javanese culture and other cultures as well. Also of great influence to his highly structured pieces of art are his brief time studying building design in school in Suriname, and later on, his years working in the building and construction permits department in the Netherlands.

His affinity for fine art and architecture increased as he explored those scenes in the Netherlands, and elements thereof can be recognized in the textures and the compositions of many of his pieces. So influenced by the old and the new, by his heritage and by modern architecture, the artist manages to create unique works of art in shapes that are authentic, but also contemporary.

In 2018, work from Steven Towirjo was included in the exhibition 6 x 6 Ceramic Tile, an exhibition in the IDB Staff Association Art Gallery in Washington DC, a curated exhibition with works from ceramic artists from IDB member countries.

Work Experiences

  • 2018: Participated in the exhibition “Campuran” by Position 125, De Hal, Suriname
  • 2018: Participated in the exhibition “6 X 6 Ceramic Tile”, IDB Staff Association Art Gallery, Washington, D.C., USA with curator Rinaldo Klas
  • 2017: The artist made an art installation about the traditional Javanese wedding, in a predominantly modern/abstract way at the TNF: “Pe un’ moksi kon na wan”, Suriname

Exhibitions

  • 2023 “Hakka Opera in Suriname”, Readytex Art Gallery, Paramaribo, Suriname
  • 2023 “Beyond Bondage”, Readytex Art Gallery, Paramaribo, Suriname
  • 2023 CULTURAL CURRENTS: Miami meets Paramaribo, Readytex Art Gallery, Paramaribo, Suriname
  • 2023 ECOLOGY – 30 years Readytex Art Gallery, Paramaribo, Suriname
  • 2023 ”OPO YARI” curated by Kurt Nahar, Readytex Art Gallery, Paramaribo, Suriname
  • 2022 ”Lost in Nature” – art created with materials found in nature, Readytex Art Gallery, Paramaribo, Suriname
  • 2022 Atlantic World Art Fair 2022
  • 2021 UDUBAKI part one – an art event about servitude and spirituality, Readytex Art Gallery, Paramaribo, Suriname
  • 2021 “Nude beauty’” at Readytex Art Gallery, Paramaribo, Suriname
  • 2019 TNF ”Special Art Gifts”, Readytex Art Gallery, Suriname
  • 2018 National Art Fair exhibition in Readytex Art Gallery, Suriname
  • 2018 25th Anniversary exhibition, Readytex Art Gallery, Suriname
  • 2017 TNF of December “Special Gift Edition”, Readytex Art Gallery, Suriname
  • 2017 TNF of August “Pe un’ moksi kon na wan”, Readytex Art Gallery, Suriname
  • 2017 TNF of May “Open House”, Readytex Art Gallery, Suriname
  • 2017 TNF of March “Open House”, Readytex Art Gallery, Suriname
  • 2016 National Art Fair, De Hal, Paramaribo, Suriname
  • 2015 Positions 125, De Hal, Paramaribo, Suriname
  • 2000 Chamber of Commerce Art Fair, Paramaribo, Suriname
  • 1998 National Art Fair, Paramaribo, Suriname
  • 1997 National Art Fair, Paramaribo, Suriname