deFACEment, solo exhibition by Teguh Ostenrik

Teguh Ostenrik’s obsession with the face goes back to the beginning of his career, when he was studying in Germany in 1976. In the years of 1980-1981 Teguh had made a series of almost pure abstract expressionism and in 1983, Teguh returned to painting the face in his series, Mutants. This deformation of the face in Mutants was the basis for the Defacement series (2007-2010). Although the purpose of Mutants was to express a particular sentiment of the times, Teguh’s intent was more rudimentary with the recent works. It has more to do with simplifying the form, to change the view from representative to re-interpretative. The paintings don’t just depict the face in a two-dimensional rendition. Instead, they present a metaphysical deconstruction of the face that incorporates the features, emotions, movements and energy all at once.

Teguh’s sculptures take a slightly different approach to addressing the face. His method of construction is equally as free as with his paintings; however, the end result is more in the spirit of surrealism rather than abstract expressionism. The use of discarded machine parts in their original form gives an entirely new dimension to the works. Not only is Teguh abstracting the face, but also altering the meaning of the materials themselves

The Mutants have a clear collective identity; they are distraught and tattered. The characters in Defacement remain anonymous, and their tempers different in each piece. Does the cloudy layering of colors describe a person in passing, details blurred by motion? Perhaps the paintings depict an extended period of time, a translucent, multi-layered record of changing expressions. Teguh’s sculptures are solid and command their own existence as individuals, yet their abstracted features makes us wonder who exactly is being portrayed. It would seem that they don’t represent any one person in particular, nor are they meant to. In the anonymous faces it’s possible that we see someone we know, or even ourselves. We are left to project our own personal traits onto these faces and read into them our own emotions.

Teguh Ostenrik solo exhibition “deFACEment” will shows 19 paintings and 13 sculptures made from welded scrap metal.

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Solo Exhibition by Teguh Ostenrik “deFACEment”
Curator: Chris Kerrigan
Opening Reception: Saturday, 24 July 2010, 7.30pm
Officiated by: Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X
Exhibition will held until 17 August 2010
Tembi Contemporary
Jl. Parangtritis Km 8,5 Tembi, Timbulharjo, Sewon, Bantul Yogyakarta 55816


Events, Exhibition