Visual Arts : Self-Portrait
I kinda like the visual arts: Self-Portrait by Ari Bayuaji showcased at Esplanade Tunnel from 17 Jan to 31 Mar this year. Perhaps its the combination of light coloured wood and pastel colour which I find attractive. I'm looking forward to next visual arts exhibition at Esplanade.
From Esplanade Theatre by the Bay website This 17 Jan – 31 Mar 2019
A portrait is not just a representation of a person’s likeness. It is imbued with cultural references and speaks of the milieu in which it is created. In the past, only the affluent and influential had their portraits painted; while in today’s technology-driven world, everyone has access to creating images of themselves. Self-Portrait investigates the value of a portrait in contemporary society and how this value has evolved over time.
The installation features a diversity of portraits drawn from different eras, cultures and sources. Bayuaji juxtaposes Indonesian wooden masks with images of faces appropriated from paintings by old European masters and advertisements. Pivotal to the work is the use of mirrors that capture the expressions and appearances of people passing through—a subtle hint at today’s prevalent “selfie” culture where anyone can create their own portraits. The installation presents different interpretations of portraits and attests to their power to tell stories about the human condition that transcends time, cultures and geographical borders.
About the Artist
Ari Bayuaji (b.1975, Indonesia) works between Montreal, Canada and Bali, Indonesia. Proficient in a range of techniques and mediums, Bayuaji has developed an installation practice that incorporates the use of found and readymade objects accumulated from different parts of the world. His work has been exhibited internationally, including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Canada; Kunsthal Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Redbase Foundation, Yogyakarta, Indonesia and Nunu Fine Art Gallery, Taiwan. He has also been invited to participate in artist residencies internationally.
Ari Bayuaji (b.1975, Indonesia) works between Montreal, Canada and Bali, Indonesia. Proficient in a range of techniques and mediums, Bayuaji has developed an installation practice that incorporates the use of found and readymade objects accumulated from different parts of the world. His work has been exhibited internationally, including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Canada; Kunsthal Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Redbase Foundation, Yogyakarta, Indonesia and Nunu Fine Art Gallery, Taiwan. He has also been invited to participate in artist residencies internationally.
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