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Lot Essay
The formal structure of Srihadi's work is very simple; the composition of most of his paintings is organized either by a horizontal or a vertical axis. The horizontal axis refers to nature and the cosmos, and the vertical to man. The horizon acts as a symbolic separator of the upper and lower worlds. The sky, sun and moon belong to the space above, the beach, oceans, earth and mountains to the world below.
This separation between the earthly and spiritual is often breached by vertically orientated elements in the composition: these represent mankind. In Shrihadi's works mankind is often represented by elegant dancers; but sometimes objects refer to humanity, for example the fishing boats in his seascapes and beach scenes. In the present lot man is represented by a helicopter; this is an unusually modern element in the work of Shrihadi. This, combined with the largely hidden horizon in this work, makes this a rather different composition. Can we conclude therefore that this is his critical expression against modernity where the balance between the spiritual and the earthly is unclear?
This separation between the earthly and spiritual is often breached by vertically orientated elements in the composition: these represent mankind. In Shrihadi's works mankind is often represented by elegant dancers; but sometimes objects refer to humanity, for example the fishing boats in his seascapes and beach scenes. In the present lot man is represented by a helicopter; this is an unusually modern element in the work of Shrihadi. This, combined with the largely hidden horizon in this work, makes this a rather different composition. Can we conclude therefore that this is his critical expression against modernity where the balance between the spiritual and the earthly is unclear?