Jakarta, IO – Visitors stare at paintings in the exhibition “The Man Who Carried A Mountain” by Iwan Suastika held at D’Gallerie, Jakarta.
It presents the phenomenon of changes in the natural and social environment that are increasingly anthropocentric. This term is displayed by the artist from Yogyakarta through his artwork in the form of 2D paintings and 3D sculptures where in each of his paintings there is one object wearing a round helmet like an astronaut with various backgrounds ranging from the environment to incorporating animal elements.
This solo exhibition, which runs until September 12, aims to raise questions in the public space and inspire us all about what we will pass on to the next generation. In one of his paintings titled “The Billion Dollar Man and The Mad Mad Era”, Iwan depicts human nature which tends to feel comfortable being trapped in an ecological order that has changed because of his own creation. He seems not to care about nature which is in ruins.
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The destroyed ecology is symbolized by Iwan through high waves with burning coals in the window. The man in this painting is depicted in an astronaut’s outfit, a symbol of his great ambition. The figure seems indifferent to the disaster that happened outside his house and sits comfortably in all the pseudo-luxuries.
(IO/Septo Kun Wijaya)