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Lot Essay
I Nyoman Masriadi's bloated figures are an integral part of his artistic idioms that are rich in meaning and expression which he uses to address sociological issues including 'Tradition vs Modernity' and progress in a developing country like Indonesia. These figures have become his narrative tool and a trademark of Masriadi's style.
Both the above stated issues apply in this particular work. The text in the work reads 'Be patient Jhony, your problem soon will be'. It is an indication of what is to come. Oh Johnny! shows a female subject clad in white underwear holding a kettle of hot water and a pair of scissors, apparently just after castrating her unfaithful husband. To balance the seriousness of the message, the artist incorporates humour in the form of the cat lying at the bottom centre of the work, adding to the comic dimension to the work. With the scantily clothed model juxtaposed with the tools for sterilisation, it is an ingenious commentary of contemporary society's cultural liberties. This work can be said to have been inspired by such real life occurances all over the world, including that of a John Wayne Bobbit who was castrated by his frustrated wife in America in 1993.
A prolific young Indonesian artist, Masriadi has come into his own with the creation of a unique visual vocabulary using caricature-like figures, which he uses to communicate his message more accessibly and effectively to his audience.
Both the above stated issues apply in this particular work. The text in the work reads 'Be patient Jhony, your problem soon will be'. It is an indication of what is to come. Oh Johnny! shows a female subject clad in white underwear holding a kettle of hot water and a pair of scissors, apparently just after castrating her unfaithful husband. To balance the seriousness of the message, the artist incorporates humour in the form of the cat lying at the bottom centre of the work, adding to the comic dimension to the work. With the scantily clothed model juxtaposed with the tools for sterilisation, it is an ingenious commentary of contemporary society's cultural liberties. This work can be said to have been inspired by such real life occurances all over the world, including that of a John Wayne Bobbit who was castrated by his frustrated wife in America in 1993.
A prolific young Indonesian artist, Masriadi has come into his own with the creation of a unique visual vocabulary using caricature-like figures, which he uses to communicate his message more accessibly and effectively to his audience.