Lot 074
BAYU UTOMO RADJIKIN
b. Sabah, 1969
THE PORTRAIT XI, 2009
Signed and dated ‘BAYU UTOMO RADJIKIN 2009’ (lower right)
Acrylic and charcoal on canvas
200cm x 145cm
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur.
EXHIBITED
Matahati ke Matadunia: Malaysian Contemporary Art To The World, DCA Fine Art, Los Angelas, United States of America,
2009; illustrated on exhibition catalogue page 30.
ESTIMATE RM 45,000 - 55,000
PRICE REALISED RM 50,400 |
In 2003, Bayu Utomo Radjikin’s Warrior series made its first appearance and has since expanded. A master in figurative realism, his distinctive warrior imagery has become his trademark, recognisable for their emotive power and strong composition in the arrangement of body movements. His works are often vibrant and fierce, questioning identity and desire through the use of the warrior as a symbol. Strong shadows and contrasts create spirited figures, at times exhibiting a persona that is a source of protection while in others portraying one seeking direction. The Portrait XI has a stark sense of drama and intensity in keeping with the rest of the series. A dark mysterious aura emanates from the artwork, the face is half hidden, the expression cold and ambiguous. The hand covering the face is open and frozen mid movement as if swiping away thoughts in order to focus on the moment. A bright slash of red depicting the bandana adds to the intense atmosphere. The Portrait XI is a good example of why Bayu is considered one of Malaysia’s foremost figurative painters. It displays Bayu’s technical ability as well as his unique skills in creating powerful ambience and skill in painting the human figure - figures that are symbols of abject alienation of cultures, traditions and tribal history.
Bayu Utomo Radjikin is one of the founding members of Matahati which had its defining moment in the exhibition For Your Pleasure at Galeri Petronas in Kuala Lumpur in 2006. He sparked incredible interest upon his graduation with a BA (Sculpture Major) at Universiti Teknologi MARA in 1991. That year, he won the highly coveted Major Award in the Young Contemporary Artists Competition followed by a Minor Award in the Salon Malaysia. He also won a Special Award in the One World - No War exhibition in Kuala Lumpur in 1991. Bayu is also a multidisciplinary artist involved in stage designs and installations. He set up the gallery cum artist’s residency space called House of Matahati (HOM) which also initiated the Malaysian Emerging Artists Awards.
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