Influenced by a league of older generation artists, particularly Basqiat, he was drawn to a candid portrayal of subjects. His style is characteristically naïve with a childlike manner of rendering figures in a flat and simplified stylization, resulting from a delightfully mischievous imagination. His paintings are a good reflection of his skepticism mood as he does not merely describe what he sees and feels; he suggests them instinctively with an internal curiosity and humour about the mundane things that surround him. Since the beginning of his career, Astawa’s works have been more figurative than anything else. He paints in this style as he better conveys his sentiments that way.

Remaining unfazed by the conventional practice of contemporary Balinese artists to introduce traditional Balinese icons in the abstract style, Astawa researches a deeper foundation by representing figuratively the resilient spirit of the Balinese. In fact, modern iconography is heavily popularized in Astawa’s works. The central characters are often painted in intense colours inspired by popular mass media imagery.
Batman came to epitomize the world to Astawa as the DC comic character is his favorite since childhood. It naturally becomes a signature statement as Batman can be rendered simplistically with “a head and his two characteristic pointy ears.”

‘Batman Forever’ chronicles the artist’s fascination with globalization and social cultural issues, which Astawa discerns as lying between a reaffirmation and cultural reconstruction of his Indonesian descent. Batman is the central figure on his canvas. In his world, American folk heroes dominate the heroes of puppet show and the gods of the Balinese pantheon. Add to this league the heroes and villains of Indonesian politics and we all know what Astawa perceives. One feels in these paintings the shaping presence of modern media and the artist’s consistent dejected skepticism as he “cooks up a brew of elements emerging from the social horizon rather than be immersed with the issues.” These works will serve to alter our preconceived notions of Balinese art and arrest our attention.
Astawa’s schooling at the Denpasar High School of Art (1996-2000), provided him with techniques and a borrowed visual modernity as he explores a new flux of ideas and images emerging fast from mass culture.

Venue : Sunjin Galleries, 43 Jalan Merah Saga, #03- 62 Work Loft @ Chip Bee.
Tel/ Contact: 6738 2317/Jennifer Soen
Email: sales@sunjingalleries.com.sg
Exhibition dates: 19 March – 9 April 2009