Maryanto found the image of a forking path apt, in illustrating the duality he encounters in his thought process when looking at an interesting landscape. He is faced with the stories the landscape has to tell of its past, and imagine its uncertain future of preservation or destruction.
A Journey of Forking Paths is Maryanto’s third solo exhibition with the gallery, featuring latest monochromatic canvas and paper works by the Yogyakarta-based artist. Hauntingly dark yet sublime, Maryanto’s typical oeuvre depicts landscapes with dualities of once idyllic spaces that have been corrupted by systems of power. The landscapes are rendered beautiful and sweeping by the artist, but in reality are inspired from exploited geographies. The title of the show came about as Maryanto found the image of a forking path apt, in illustrating the duality he encounters in his thought process when looking at an interesting landscape. He is faced with the stories the landscape has to tell of its past, and imagine its uncertain future of preservation or destruction. The metaphor of the forking path also points to how these landscapes are not eternal, and is affected by every decision we make, every path we choose. As such, the title of the show is a premise to look at the scenes the artist has captured in his works, and he hopes to inspire the audience to reflect on the effects people have inflicted on the natural environment. Maryanto captures these landscapes through a tedious method of layering and scratching, creating permanent images in the form of hyperrealistic paintings. Being process-focused, he patiently carves and etches fine lines and forms, gradually revealing the hidden images within the canvas covered in black acrylic paint. This show also features a large graphite drawing and a mural, where he explores depicting scenes with a different medium, but with equal intensity. In uncovering these images, he also uncovers stories of unspoken truths, bringing messages hidden in plain sight to light in these deeply dangerous and political spaces.
Events & Projects
Artist in Conversation: Terragouging with Matthew Schnedier-Mayerson (Assistant Professor of Social Sciences (Environmental Studies), Yale-NUS College)
Saturday, 21 Sept. 2019 | 4 - 5.30 PM
A talk between Maryanto whose practice, based in process and research, with an interest in environment, landscapes, can dovetail with interests of Matthew Schenider-Mayerson , Professor Assistant Professor of Social Sciences (Environmental Studies) at Yale-NUS College. Discussion topics include trends in climate change awareness movements, as well as how artists mediate the concepts and tackle hardships of the human environment using aesthetics and ultimately, optimism.
