Nyoman Masriadi

Paul Kasmin Gallery is pleased to announce an exhibition of Nyoman Masriadi's works on view from April 28 – June 18, 2016 at 293 Tenth Avenue, New York.

In his second solo show at the gallery, five new paintings will be accompanied by never-before-exhibited works from 2012-14. These paintings depict superhuman figures whose narratives, while rooted in Indonesian cultural history, offer witty and often biting social commentary on contemporary life and global pop culture. Many of the images, social critiques and iconography have a universality which transcends cultural boundaries.

New works like Old Master, depicting a modernized portrayal of a traditional Japanese samurai warrior, seamlessly weave together the artist's own heritage and cultural symbolism with global sensibilities and a modern, pan-cultural approach to story-telling. His works are self-reflective in their very personal motivations and character, but they are also critically looking outwards at both Masriadi's own society and the world at large.

Masriadi's art reflects the diverse and complex nature of Indonesian society. In Death Clock Asian and Western influences collide and coalesce to produce something that is greater than the sum of its parts. Masriadi's art is not simply using separate elements from more than one place and time – it is fusing them together to make something entirely new.

Many artists allude to “big picture concepts” in their work, but Masriadi's striking paintings and sculptural pieces do not simply hint at contemporary issues; they present them openly and with vivid, engaging directness. This paradox can be seen in Masriadi’s new painting Not Bad, 2016, which is a mockery of an allegorical, narcissistic character that believes his looks are more important than skill. This painting invites the viewer to engage with the transience of modern life while also appreciating the universal and timeless nature of vanity.

Masriadi is a pioneer of the vibrant art scene that has emerged from Yogyakarta, and has lead his fellow Indonesian artists onto the world stage. Despite being one of the inaugural recipients of the Asia Society's Lifetime Achievement Award, Masriadi and his stratospheric career have only just begun to show the world what he can do. This solo exhibition will introduce his latest evolution as an artist and showcase his continuing growth and development.

I Nyoman Masriadi was born 1973, in Gianyar, Bali and received his training in art at the Institut
Seni Indonesia (ISI) Yogyakarta, where he lives with his wife Ana and his 3 children.

Media Contact: ART Communication + Consultancy, Anna Rosa Thomae, ART@annarosathomae.com