Curiosity

Born in 1968 and part of a generation of Indonesian contemporary artists whose works are intrinsically concerned with issues in contemporary society, Sugiyo Dwiarso's canvases often reflect his inner questions and responses to societal life. While social criticism is not precisely his intention, his paintings express his personal thoughts, feelings, and ideas about what happens in society, with he himself being an integral part of it. The inspiration of this particular work comes as he witnesses his children growing up and starts questioning everything, which reminds him of the biblical notion of the "tree of knowledge": the prohibition of eating the fruit and the temptation it presents to mankind - one which surfaces due to their sense of "curiosity". His concept for the present work is executed with a strong technical mastery of realism, and incorporates his iconic winged figures which has been a distinctly part of his recent works.