Lanang Tarkan Bilen

The common functions of Art in Hindu culture are; for religious purposes, to represent wealth and religious and historical storytelling, such as illustrating traditional Balinese myths and legends. Art is commonly found in Balinese temples and homes and is an integral part of everyday Balinese life and culture. In addition to traditional Balinese art forms, other influences in the artwork selected for the exhibition are Japanese Manga illustrations and Japanese anime. The common media found in Manga are ink on paper, which originated from traditional Japanese scrolls. The study of anatomy and character development is evident throughout the selected works. In many ways, Manga is closely related to traditional Balinese art. For example, storytelling is a main function of both art types, therefore, the common thematic link which I have portrayed in my exhibition artworks is storytelling and creating compositions to illustrate a narrative. My artworks are all derived from cultural knowledge and the issues I have addressed in my work are about Bali, the island I live in.

The themes I explore in my narratives relate to the conflict between businessmen and Balinese culture, which is causing the loss of traditional practices due to the modernization of Bali. Another effect of rising business activity in Bali is the degradation and eradication of the environment and landscape due to industrialization. I hope my audience will realize and understand the severity and urgency of the world’s current state. There isn’t much time left before it becomes too late to undo the consequences of our harmful decisions, therefore, we need to start taking action to improve the world’s state. I explore these ideas by developing antagonist and protagonist characters who are used to illustrate the manga drawings and mural paintings. I would like the audience to be able to relate to the messages in the work by identifying with the characters I have developed.

In all the works, some common symbols are used and explored through painting, photography, and drawing. These symbols include some aspects which can be found within Balinese culture and modern industries. For example, some common symbols throughout most of my paintings are buildings and clouds. These two symbols combined represent both Balinese and modern industrial aspects, which are used to juxtapose with each other to create a clear distinction between the good and bad. I have also used the repetition of these symbols throughout my work to create a common link as well as to emphasize the scale of impact.

The photographic collages were arranged in a group so that the audience can recognize that each individual works are linked to one another like a jigsaw puzzle to create one very large scale photographic collage This was accomplished by linking the geometric and asymmetric borders around the outer edges of each photographic collage. This was to encompass the viewer and make them feel overwhelmed with the subject and message of the photographic works, which highlights the impact of industrialization in Bali.