A unique yet fresh combination between two artists who works through two different mediums while questioning the same principal matter within the relationship between mankind and their so-called best friends. While living aside one to another and collaborating in a daily basis life, we – human, at the same time daunt these friends of ours.

For instance, when we see a painting of a cow’s head displayed on a plate on a fresh green grass with calming purple background color. This work of Arya Sucitra gave a cheerful impression from its colour scheme, but at the same time reserved an unpleasing impression. In the mean time, there’s also an appearance of a dog that hounds on a male boot, grappling it in his jaw. This metal sculpture of Agus Wijaya’s creation depicted how we tend to – unconsciously – made these animals the inferior side.

I Gede Arya Sucitra – the painter, and I Nyoman Agus Wijaya – the sculpturer, highlighted the two animals with the better interpretation of their intelligence. The two works were somehow seen frightening, but still are cheerful. Perhaps, the artist was questioniong: how in fact humankind has been acting towards these obedient and loyal creatures, was it as their friend or foe?

What’s interesting is, the theme ‘friend or foe’ is also relevant to the matter of their mutual work as an artist. Competition and collaboration are the two main methods of interaction among artists. Since many of them are still struggling for recognition and success, competition became an undeniable matter. Can artists remain mutually supportive friendly while struggling to take the lead among their community? The two young artists answer this question through humour in their work, exhibited in Friend or Foe, from December 30th 2009 to January 30th 2010 at the Komaneka Fine Art Gallery, Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali 80571. For more information, visit gallery.komaneka.com


Courtesy of Bali and Beyond, www.baliandbeyond.co.id
Image courtesy of gallery.komaneka.com