Bayu Utomo Radjikin - Lang Kacang ( mixed media )

About the Artwork :

Sculpture of a armless tribal warrior screaming into the void

Expression on face is contorted by his roar of frustration and anger

Artist’s self portrait?

Vibrant, fierce, thought provoking

Warrior is the symbol of the spirit who becomes a source of protection and support throughout his life’s journey – caught in the midst of confusion and seeking direction

Describes the emasculation of the modern man — soulless and empty within

Displacement of tradition and culture by western modernity – the warrior appears alienated from his time and is helpless to his situation; the armless warrior is useless – hinting on the impracticality of culture and tradition beside the rise of modernity; appearing as something weakened, useless, unable to fight back

However, elaborate headdress symbolizes rich culture and tradition — upwards tilt of the head suggests a sense of defiance and pride and resolve

Background Info of Bayu Utomo Radjikin :

Malaysian sculptor and painter

Founder of the Matahati – group of artists inspired by artist-critic Wong Hoy Cheong

Javanese/Indonesian roots

Post colonial influence – but instead of resolving Asian roots with Western influences (like most artists of his time), he encapsulates the emasculation of the human condition with the loss of culture

Description :
- The artwork is dominated by the sculpture.
- The sculpture looks like a tribal warrior.
- The sculpture is characterized by scrap metal and feathers.
- The texture created are hard and rough , rusty.
- The colours are vibrant .

Analysis :
- The composition of the artwork is the fustration and anger the sculpture shows with the head thrown backwards.
- The facial expression is contorted in emotion and yet the torso stands stiff and rigid, bound by bandages of metal.
- The contrast of the sculpture is due to the constricting of metal, the feathers of the headdress stand defiant
and proud, symbolic of rich traditional culture and evocative of traditions past that are slowly being abandoned.

Interpretation :
- The sculpture depicts a tribal warrior that is armless , perhaps , trying to show the aftermath of a fight / war between tribes
- The subject matter is a reflection of violence and conviction , due to the armor and chains attached to the warrior.
- The artist seems to suggest the displacement of tradition and culture by western modernity – the warrior appears alienated from his time and is helpless to his situation; the armless warrior is useless – hinting on the impracticality of culture and tradition beside the rise of modernity; appearing as something weakened, useless, unable to fight back.

Evaluation :
- In my opinion , this sculpture portrays the displacement of tribes as time passes along with the western modernity.
- The choice of the colours on the sculpture makes it vibrant.
- The strength of the sculputre lies in the feathery armor , scrap metal and metal chains that are attached to it.
- It is a successful attempt as the sculpture shows the displacement of tribes and him, unable to do anything / fight back as there are chains attached to it.