Tatang B. Sp graduated from the Veterinary Faculty of the Udayana University of Denpasar, Bali. He is a worker in a non-governmental organization, and focuses his activities on matters related to the street children in Bali. The self-taught painter is interested in painting because he thinks that art is entitled to interpret truth.

It is therefore understandable if Tatang's paintings, since the beginning of his career as a painter in the early 1990, have been very much of a narrative. They tell of social and political problems, and of other contextual circumstances. For Tatang B. Sp, the contemporary social conditions are very disturbing to our communal life and give rise to various problems and thoughts that he needs to express. Tatang chooses painting as his medium to convey these thoughts. His daily life as an NGO-worker has sharpened his sensibility about social and political problems. For Tatang, angst, fear, anxiety, and terror have all been present as familiar aspects of life; they form a rite of convergence between the desire for power and time and space. It is hardly surprising, therefore, if Tatang's paintings readily give the impression of an eerie atmosphere, a cold communal life, and of bestial characteristic.

See, for example, his work "The Figure I" (2002), The painting depicts a somber meeting: Five male figures, whose faces and postures bear exact resemblance to each other, are having a dialogue with a dog. From a bottle, in the dark and cramped room, The Dog is sniffing H2S, a foul-smelling chemical closely linked to pollution. Numerous objects such as a gong, a microphone, a clock, bones, pieces of paper and newspaper are scattered at various locations. The main object that dominates the space is a dining table in white tablecloth, on top of which reigns The Dog, sitting on a chair wearing a formal tie.

We can interpret the painting as a depiction of a people whose identities are lost—or made lost. A communal situation in a bad position. Who, then, is The Figure? The Figure can very well be an "actor" who performs for a director named a certain communal value. The "actor" is in a formal suit and tie, with bones around his neck, his hands in boxing gloves. His wears cold looks, almost devoid of expression. The characters are in a meeting, in a room with dark brown walls, giving the impression of a fearful atmosphere. On the other hand, in the lower panel, the impression is about the bestial characteristic of The Figure. The lower panel resembles an affirmation of sorts, or a conclusion to the opinions formed by Tatang B. Sp.

No matter how Tatang narrates his story and discourse, however, there is still ample space for us to read and interpret the painting our own way. The painting, therefore, is open to multiple readings, and holds a wide-open space for interpretations.

Hardiman

Born on March 13, 1965 in Tegal.
Studied at Veterinary Faculty, Udayana University, Bali (1986); Self-taught Artist.

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2001 "The Lost Generation", Chedy Hotel, Ubud, Bali.

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
1998 Indonesian Art Award V, Jakarta; Group Exhibition, Tiga Enam Gallery, Ubud, Bali.
1999 The Windsor and Newton Competition, Bandung.
2000 Indonesian Art Award VII, Jakarta; Group Exhibition of the Sanggar Dewata Indonesia, Ubud, Bali.
2001 "Line and Colour", Art Centre; "Beyond Shape", Jezz Gallery, Denpasar, Bali; "The Narative Badung - Narative Bali", Retro Gallery and Café, Sanur, Bali.
2003 "Small", Paros Gallery, Sukawati, Bali.

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