Hengki Koentjoro
Hengki Koentjoro is an accomplished photographer known for his mastery in black and white photography, capturing the ethereal interplay between light and shadow. Born in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia, on March 24th, 1963, Hengki’s visual journey is rooted in the rich natural and cultural landscapes of his homeland. His work explores the spectral domain that lies between the seen and unseen—where form, tone, and emotion converge in monochrome. Hengki believes his true calling lies in the journey of expression, where photography becomes a vehicle to meditate on existence and emotion.
His artistic approach celebrates the minimalist yet reveals layers of complexity. Through his lens, he finds the spiritual in the physical, the harmonious balance of yin and yang, and the silent elegance of light on water or stone. Hengki’s work transcends documentation; it invites introspection and reflection. With a distinctive visual language shaped by decades of practice, he continues to explore the essence of being through the grayscale palette, turning simple compositions into profound visual poetry. His devotion to black and white imagery allows him to strip distractions, drawing attention to texture, form, and atmosphere.
With over two decades of experience, Hengki’s work has garnered international acclaim. His accolades include the Black and White Spider Awards (2013), IPA Photography Awards (2014), Hasselblad Masters (2014), and PX3 Paris Photo Competition (2015). His atmospheric and contemplative images have been exhibited globally—in Japan, Singapore, Paris, The Netherlands, Germany, the USA, and beyond—solidifying his place as a leading figure in fine art photography.
He is also an ambassador for Hasselblad (Sweden) and Kase Filter (China), further reflecting his influence in the photographic world.
Hengki’s work has been the subject of several high-quality publications, each showcasing his refined aesthetic and deep connection to nature. His books include collaborations with Galerie Vevais (Germany), Leica Store Lisse (The Netherlands), and Afterhours Books (Indonesia). These publications are not merely portfolios but curated journeys into Hengki’s visual philosophy—celebrating the timeless beauty of black and white photography and his evocative engagement with the Indonesian landscape.
Each book is a reflection of Hengki’s devotion to precision, elegance, and emotional resonance.
“Breath” is one of Hengki Koentjoro’s most resonant photographic studies, drawn from his ongoing exploration of the ocean and its rhythmic voice. Indonesia, his birthplace and lifelong muse, is the world’s largest archipelagic nation—boasting over 17,000 islands and a vast, diverse coastline. The sea plays an omnipresent role in Indonesian life, and in Hengki’s hands, it becomes a spiritual and visual metaphor. Through his study of wave collections, he interprets the pulse of the earth—ever-changing, cyclical, and powerful, yet equally serene.
In “Breath,” Hengki captures waves not merely as natural phenomena but as living forms that inhale and exhale with timeless grace. The ocean’s undulating forms offer him an endless palette of textures and moods, all rendered in luminous monochrome. This series embraces the contrast between calm and chaos, stillness and surge, in a manner that evokes both awe and peace. Each image stands alone as a quiet meditation, yet collectively, they become a symphony of motion and silence.
The study of waves in “Breath” is deeply personal. It reflects Hengki’s connection to the natural world and his sensitivity to its rhythms. Here, the ocean is not a backdrop—it is the subject, the teacher, and the breath of life itself.
Monograph books:
– Hengki Koentjoro Solo Monograph – WERKDRUCK Book No. 38 – Vevais Gallerie
– MONOHYDRA – Fine art Underwater Book – Afterhours Books Publication
– The Refined Eye – Hengki Koentjoro – Published by Leica Lisse – The Netherlands
Exhibition:
– September 2014 Photokina 2014 – Cologne, Germany
– November 2014 Fotofever Paris 2014 – Paris, France
– February 2015 Solo Exhibition – Hasselblad Gallery – Tokyo – Japan
– March 2016 – Exhibition – Annenberg Space for Photography – USA
– November 2016 Taiwan Photo Fair 2016 – Taipei, Taiwan
– September 2016- Unseen Photo Fair – Amsterdam – The Netherlands
