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  Teguh Ostenrik
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HOMO SAPIENS - A portrayal of human nature in paintings and sculptures
1 Feb 2002 (Fri) ~ 31 Dec 2002 (Tue)

Location
Millenia Tower

Address
One Temasek Avenue
Millenia Tower
Ground Floor Lobby, North Rotundas
Singapore

Description
Solo exhibition by Teguh Ostenrik.

A rumination on the evolutionary development of a complex creature, Homo Sapiens, uses oil painting, clay and other media to explore the contradictory nature of man. The works portray both the nurturing environment of nature, whose cycle helps give continuity to Homo Sapiens’ life, and the clash which results from the power struggle that is intrinsic to human life.

Regarding this theme, Ostenrik compares prehistoric times to the present, as well as the rural tribal cultures to urban civilizations, in this cataloguing of the Homo Sapiens series. In their ever-increasing displacement and migration, the human desire for luck, riches and power, as well as the need for love and confidence, in both the self and others, remains unchanged.

Ostenrik refers to these inner behavioural structures of Homo Sapiens, in his paintings, sculptures and terracotta relief. They recount the relationships between humans: trust and suspicion, affection and fear, sexual attraction and rape, love and hate. Homo Sapiens confronts us naked; no furniture or accessory is permitted to give us a temporal or spatial classification. All figures either have masks in front of their faces, or actually replacing their heads.

The mask, which has existed throughout the ages in many cultures continues to exist today as an important symbol and tool of behaviour. Essential to drama, to magic and to religion, masks serve as representations, substitutions or transformations. Used as protection against real and imaginary dangers, masks help to overcome fears and can justify the most diverse actions.

“The mask is not only what is there in front of your face, the mask itself is also your face, your mind. You have so many layers in your face, which is the mind, but you are always trying to change, every hour, or every minute, so you can use (the mask) depending on the situation and your needs.” - Teguh Ostenrik in interview with Ian Findlay-Brown

EXHIBITION DATE & TIME:

28th February - 15th March 2002
Monday to Friday: 10am - 7.30pm Saturday: 11am - 4pm
Closed Sundays & Public Holidays

Opening reception:
Thursday 27th February 2002, 6.30pm - 8.30 pm