Treatment of Space in a 2D artwork: Dede Eri Supria

Top: Dede Eri Supria, Labyrinth, 1987-88, oil on canvas.

Bottom: Dede Eri Supria, Between the Red Steel, 1992, oil on canvas.

What you need to know about the artist and his artwork:

Born: 29 January 1956, Jakarta
Nationality: Indonesian
History:
ｷ 7th of 11 children
ｷ burst into the Indonesian art scene in the 1970’s
ｷ considered innovative for the discussions that his art brings up
ｷ uses objects to represent social issues (Symbolism)
ｷ an idealist painter: paintings must have beauty & content
Common themes in his work:
o Population & living environment
o Terrorizing products
o Crossroads of emancipation
(freedom)
o Peace & war
o Urban violence
o Manpower
o Industrial pollution
o Human Rights
ｷ Particularly, the Urbanization of his beloved hometown, Jakarta.
ｷ During WWII, the Allies dubbed Jakarta as the “treasure of Asia”.
ｷ People here depended on the earth & had a very harmonious relationship with her.
ｷ Since the war, Jakarta has become extremely built up & is now a large urban city.
ｷ Iron & concrete now trample the fertility of Jakarta’s soil.

In Labyrinth notice the use of brand names that make up the walls of the maze.

Discussion:

The use of color is very important in Supria's work. In Labyrinth he uses primary colors, and in Between the Red Steel, the red is overbearing. Why do you think that Supria used these color schemes for his work?