(1/16/2010)
Although he began his career as a self-taught realist, Karyana's penchant for fleeting impressions has recently led him to a moody space that borders on the abstract. While some of his scenes, traditional fishing boats mirrored in the waters, are clearly inspired by the world that surrounds him on his native island of Lombok, others, which more resemble Rorschach tests delve into mystery that provokes one's imagination.
While careful study may reveal a hidden horse or dancer, these can easily fade back into the whole as if they never existed.
Such experiments between the world, so to speak, are wholly dependent on his mastery of the difficult media of aquarelle which, at its best, is luminous and seemingly spontaneous, and, at worst, muddy and confusing. Limiting his
palette to subdued browns with an occasional tint of color is also courageous. His success in recapturing the feeling of old sepia photographs, too, is an admittance of his dalliance with historical nostalgia in the post-modern world.
While the art and artists of Lombok, the island east of Bali, have long been overshadowed by its western neighbor, it can in no way be considered of less importance. Interestingly, whereas most traditional Balinese art is renowned for its boisterous use of color, that of the Sasak people of Lombok, is far earthier in tone and flavor. After a stint of working in Ubud, Bali for a year and three years as a commercial artist, Karyana has returned home to Lombok in both body and spirit.
Sepia - Paintings by Karyana
An Exhibition at the Ganesha Gallery - Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay
February 4 - March 1, 2010 - Open Daily
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