Two contemporary Indonesian painters Ronald Apriyan and Antonius Kho explore themes of identity through the stylistic means of figuration with satire and humour in an exhibition entitled Budiman(Happiness) at Momentous Arts from July 1 - 16. Both artists incorporate the visual language of animation and comics in their art with youthful zest and strong imagery. 

Antonius paintings of faces (masks) are structured in the manner of mosaics, that is split in small, mostly geometric elements. The painterly quality of roving eyes and features of faces weave around the canvas creating a discordant and rhythmic effect. Antonius work expresses the tension between fragmentation and unity that he was experiencing in his search for identity, as well as the tension between isolation around the self and communication with "others". Antonius own experience is one of multi-cultural, he was born to a Chinese father and he grew up in Java before leaving for Germany to further his studies in art. He live and work as an artist in Germany for many years before his return to Indonesia in 1998.

On the other hand, Ronald Apriyan communicates through his paintings his experiences and invite viewers to ponder what it means to be happy and to make life better. Apriyan playfully blends grafitti-like expressiveness in his street-style paintings with wry humor to give his subjects a visually strong presence to capture the imagination of the viewer and to get them thinking. He enjoys working on large format works which suits his all-over painting style in which he scrawls text with enigmatic sketches and gestures; and obliterates the canvas with random marks. The canvas becomes a battleground for his direct expression, often centred around a figure - human or animal which is the subject of commentary in his paintings. Each painting has an accompanying title that adds a twist to the storey or plot.

About the Artists

Ronald Apriyan
Born in 1979, Sumatra, Ronald graduated from the Indonesia Institute of Arts Yogyakarta,Padjadjaran University Bandung and Sarjanawiyata Taman Siswa University Yogyakarta. He has held exhibitions Indonesia, Japan, Philippine and Australia. Career awards include Best Caricature for Hari Kartini (commemorating Kartini). Yogyakarta 2001, Best Sketch of Fine Art Indonesia Institute of The Arts,Yogyakarta 2002 and Best Mural in STP AMPTA, Yogyakarta 2003.

Antonius Kho
Born 1958, in Java, Antonius first study art under the guidance of artist Barli, studio Ranggagempol, Bundung Indonesia. He also studied at the Academy of Fine Art in Cologne, Germany in 1985 and the Academy of Fine Art in Bundung, Indonesia in 1981.  Antonius has held many solo and group exhibitions in Europe and Asia. Awards include Ist Prize 'Mask in Venice', Art Addiction Annual in Venice in 1998 and Ist Prize Malen Auf Liegestuhlen', FH Art Design Olivanderhof, Cologne, Germany.