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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 ceases to be a mere expression of aesthetics but it works like words for the writers, it is very much 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, are in part stylised and in part caricature-like have very much become a signature style of the artist. They are in integral part of his artistic idio,s that would make impression for a first timer but rich in meaning and expression for a keen observer of is works. The figures, which could be man or woman almost 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 message in the present work is direct, frank and honest. The protagonist this time is uncommonly small compared to the majority of the artist's works, this is done intentionally as Masriadi wants to emphasize the insurmountable task of lifting the huge rock for the little man, a metaphor for the strength and contribution of an ordinary individual facing, perhaps, the overwhelming and very difficult issues of a country. Unlike his other works which are usually imbued with a sense of uncanny sarcasm; the present work is unabashedly sincere in expressing his own well wishes for his own country.
Masriadi's bloated figures which, are in part stylised and in part caricature-like have very much become a signature style of the artist. They are in integral part of his artistic idio,s that would make impression for a first timer but rich in meaning and expression for a keen observer of is works. The figures, which could be man or woman almost 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 message in the present work is direct, frank and honest. The protagonist this time is uncommonly small compared to the majority of the artist's works, this is done intentionally as Masriadi wants to emphasize the insurmountable task of lifting the huge rock for the little man, a metaphor for the strength and contribution of an ordinary individual facing, perhaps, the overwhelming and very difficult issues of a country. Unlike his other works which are usually imbued with a sense of uncanny sarcasm; the present work is unabashedly sincere in expressing his own well wishes for his own country.