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Lot Essay
One of the noticeable qualities with many of the contemporary works is the dire need of the artist to convey a message through his works. Painting cease to be a mere expression of aesthetics but it works like words for the writers, it very much becomes a narrative tool for the painter. A telling sign for an ingenious artist in this genre is to see if the artist could create a unique visual vocabulary or an individual set of codified idioms in his works that effectively conveys his messages.
Masriadi's bloated figures which, is in part stylised and in part caricature-like have very much become a signature style for the artist. They are an integral part of his artistic idioms that would make impression for a first timer but rich in meaning and expression for a keen observer of his works. The figures, which could be man or woman almost always wear a mocked facial expression that is a fuse of an uncanny look and a faint sinister smile. With these protagonists, Masriadi addresses the issues of Tradition versus Modernity, the pace of Development in the Third World country like Indonesia, the Commercialising of all aspects in a city-living, it is an inexhaustible list that basically allows the artist to probe deeper into human nature and cultural issues.
The present work depicts a woman in the privacy (or intended) of interior settings engaged in the feminine ritual of toilette and maquillage. The image is especially rich and evocative with her striking red lips, partially covered breast and the (supposedly) seductive act of putting on the leggings. The title Weekend forms part of this narration, which Masriadi portrays a not so feminine lady-figure engaging in a traditionally feminine act, in part to shock, in part to comment on the mutation forms of roles in the contemporary society. Just like a novel, one could almost 'read' the puns in this visual expression - the covered breast as a hint of modesty - imposed by a prudish censor only serves as a pretentious morality, much as the society at large while the convoluted form of sexuality remains overwhelming despite the half-hearted attempt.
It is also notable that the artist has adapted a caricature style for his works. The great American pop artists have long seen the affinity of Modernity with comics and cartoons. However, instead of blindly following the Great American/Western visual vocabulary, Masriadi as a young Indonesian artist is looking for his equivalent of a Superman that would be emotive for his peers and audience.
Masriadi's bloated figures which, is in part stylised and in part caricature-like have very much become a signature style for the artist. They are an integral part of his artistic idioms that would make impression for a first timer but rich in meaning and expression for a keen observer of his works. The figures, which could be man or woman almost always wear a mocked facial expression that is a fuse of an uncanny look and a faint sinister smile. With these protagonists, Masriadi addresses the issues of Tradition versus Modernity, the pace of Development in the Third World country like Indonesia, the Commercialising of all aspects in a city-living, it is an inexhaustible list that basically allows the artist to probe deeper into human nature and cultural issues.
The present work depicts a woman in the privacy (or intended) of interior settings engaged in the feminine ritual of toilette and maquillage. The image is especially rich and evocative with her striking red lips, partially covered breast and the (supposedly) seductive act of putting on the leggings. The title Weekend forms part of this narration, which Masriadi portrays a not so feminine lady-figure engaging in a traditionally feminine act, in part to shock, in part to comment on the mutation forms of roles in the contemporary society. Just like a novel, one could almost 'read' the puns in this visual expression - the covered breast as a hint of modesty - imposed by a prudish censor only serves as a pretentious morality, much as the society at large while the convoluted form of sexuality remains overwhelming despite the half-hearted attempt.
It is also notable that the artist has adapted a caricature style for his works. The great American pop artists have long seen the affinity of Modernity with comics and cartoons. However, instead of blindly following the Great American/Western visual vocabulary, Masriadi as a young Indonesian artist is looking for his equivalent of a Superman that would be emotive for his peers and audience.