Samsul Arifin's iconic Goni doll - the miniature kapok-stuffed, rice-sack doll - first made an appearance within his earliest sculptures and installations, and within his paintings since 2008. Arifin identifies keenly with Goni, using him as an alter-ego to observe himself, his life and his environment. According to the artist, Goni, named for the rice - or goni - sack, is a symbol of purity and simplicity. Lacking facial descriptions apart from his wide rolling eyes which constantly bear a gentle air of surprise, Goni is a blank metaphor, a tabula rasa. The artist invites us to explore the collective memories of our education and the effects of digital technologies that are starting to influence the life development of children through his works.
Memikirkan Seni Rupa (Thinking about Art) (Lot 2428), Goni is seen carrying a pink pencil in bright Faber-Castell hues, sharpened to jaunty points. Goni is featured on the canvas strapped into a black leather jacket, a sign of domination, authority and power; which seems to evoke strong emotions especially in this work. Goni is seen in a posture ready to strike, perhaps referring to the rat-race of the present age that makes education the most essential and basic benchmark of a developed country.