Share
Add fave
Vani Hidayatur Rahman
The Times They Are A-Changin #8 ( Bono U2 ), 2019
Acrylic on Canvas, 130 x 100 cm
USD 4,100 – 5,100
Chat with us on WhatsApp
About the artwork
Indonesian artist Vani’s eye-catching works often depict music legends such as Bono, to illustrate the theme of harmony, in order to highlight how in times of increasing global social divide, music has the power to unite. In this work, a myriad of vibrantly coloured miniature figures come together to build a statue of Bono, and stand out against the monochromatic elements of the painting. Despite their different colours, representing their diverse backgrounds, they are united by the musician through this task. Through this symbolic work Vani thus highlights how the universality of the language of music can bring people together.
About the artist
Born in 1981 in Semarang, Indonesia, artist Vani Hidayatur Rahman is currently based in Jogjakarta. He has shown his works in various group exhibitions including ArtJog 2013: Maritime Culture, Taman Budaya Yogyakarta; Return to Home, International Union of Unified Ummah Cartoon Contest, Iran (2012); Manifesto, Indonesian National Gallery, Jakarta (2010). Vani has received a number of art awards including the Best Painting accolade at the 2012 Jakarta Art Awards and was a finalist at the 2008 Jakarta Art Awards.
Vani Hidayatur Rahman has made a name for himself with his distinctive and realistic style. With his highly complex paintings that are adorned with detailed embellishments, Vani imbues a strong concept and story into each piece and addresses pertinent political, social and environmental issues that span war to pollution. In his artwork entitled "Unity," Vani depicts a large ark - a motif that has been reiterated by other Indonesian painters such as Widayat and Amrus Natalya. However, Vani presents his own interpretation of the timber vessel by painting it in an unfinished stage of construction and glory - a group of workers on deck are still sawing, carrying wooden beams and measuring for dimensions. The flurry of activity is painted from a birds-eye view and aerial perspective, with the entire structure and frame visible - allowing the viewer to feel as if he or she is an omniscient being looking down from above.