Valentine Willie Fine Art - May 2006

Putu Sutawijaya: Body ‘O’

The fiery, rhythmic figurative work of Balinese painter Putu Sutawijaya shows for the first time in KL at the start of May, following a residency at Gudang Art Space. Putu’s distinctive style has created a definite impression on the Indonesian and Southeast Asian art world, making him one of its fast-rising stars.

On display at this exhibition will be over fifteen large mixed media works on canvas as well as studies. The point of origin for each of them is the uncovered human body. However, Putu Sutawijaya does not seek to represent the ‘I’ of figurative portraiture. Stripping his figures and removing their identity, the artist has over the years created infinite symbolic narratives using the human body that touch on the universal and mystical. The human being is shown immersed in the struggle and the dance of life, powerfully expressed in movement and gesture.

Artist Profile:
Born in Tabanan, Bali, Putu Sutawijaya pursued his studies at the Art Faculty of the Indonesian Art Institute, Yogyakarta and graduated in 1998. Since then he has been producing contemporary works from his studio in Yogyakarta and Bali. The artist is the recipient of the Philip Morris Top 10 Asean Artist Award (1999) and the Best Fine Art Award from the Indonesian Art Institute, Yogyakarta at the 11th Dies Nathalis. Putu Sutawijaya works have been exhibited throughout Indonesia. His paintings have also been shown in London, Basel, Chicago, Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong.

Duration: May 4 – 20, 2006
Location: 1st Floor No. 17, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.
Gallery and Resource Room Opening hours: From 12 - 8pm Monday to Friday, and 12 - 6 pm Saturday. Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.
Admission is free.
Tel: 03-2284 2348 / Telefax: 03-2282 5190 / e-mail: daniel@artsasia.com.my
Website: www.artsasia.com.my