Share
Add faveChat with us on WhatsApp
About the artwork
The relationship between human beings is assessed in this work, where a figure scales the heights of a monumental ladder, reaching for an unseen object of desire. Below him, another figure supports the base of the ladder, their strength the only thing keeping the precariously perched individual from toppling. The nakedness of the climbing figure contrasted against the clothed, basal figure further suggests the vulnerability and dependence we have on each other and the necessity of teamwork in order to reach greater heights. Here, Gunawan seeks to remind his audience of human fragility and the importance of kindness on earth.
About the artist
Born in Yogyakarta in 1974, Adi Gunawan received his education at the Institut Seni Indonesia. He is a prominent Indonesian sculptor known for his distinctive and often playful and satirical bronze sculptures. In his symbolic sculptures, Adi invokes exploration of themes related to human behavior, social issues, and cultural traditions. He uses his cultural positioning as a tool to visualize motions, gestures, characters and expressions of various subjects that he sculpts. He often incorporates elements of Indonesian folklore and everyday life, giving his pieces a rich cultural context. Growing up in an Agrarian society, he depicts a lot of animals in his work. The symbiotic and mystical relationship between animals and humans is well expressed in his artworks.
Adi Gunawan represented Indonesia at the Beijing Olympics 2008 Fine Arts Exhibition, where he was bestowed the further honor of an Olympic Torch Award. Moreover, his works have been exhibited in various countries including Singapore, Malaysia, China, Olympic Museum in Lausanne in Switzerland and many more.
Adi Gunawan continues to be an influential figure in contemporary art, known for his ability to blend humor, culture, and technical prowess in his sculptures. He believes that art should not only be visually appealing but also thought-provoking and capable of evoking a wide range of emotions.