“meta-body” by Kuss Indarto

Anis Ekowindu explores issues surrounding the body and human psyche across twelve new paintings in his most recent solo exhibition at Valentine Willie Fine Art Kuala Lumpur. Presenting psychological tensions between figures and space he introduces audiences to a cast of sinister and playful characters set against dramatic voids. This is not self-portraiture as audiences may assume. Instead, the artist paints his younger brother Arya Maruf who serves as a compelling symbol for his aesthetic and psychological needs. Exaggerated faces, figures, gestures, texts and other complementary objects, are made into an important narrative device to deliver observation and opinion. Grinning faces shift between psychosis and humour, bodies are incomplete, puppet masters strain to control their raucous charges that create a vast spectrum or “politics of meaning”. In this way bodies transcend mere physicality to become social-entities that look at notions of communal critique. As a result, each of his canvas offers a spirited narration of symbols for his audiences.

Full essay in catalogue.