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About the artwork
In Palawan Kesiangan (Early Hero), Adi Gunawan presents a caped figure, riding on the back of a turtle. Both are rendered in Gunawan’s characteristic bulbous style, with the human figure’s eyes closed in a state of relaxed bliss. The common association of turtles with creation myths explores the multi-faceted nature of the ‘early hero’ and the relationship between humans and animals.
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.