Clarity of Abstraction

Clarity of Abstraction, is a discussion centred on Putu Bonuz’s work exhibited in Culmination Calm In Nation Visual Art Exhibition. A Sawidji Collaboration with Santrian Art Gallery, Sanur Bali May10th-June29th 2024.

Putu Bonuz struggled to articulate the message of his work for the community. However, it was always clear to me that there is something powerful and meaningful for many. As an abstract artist, he is here facing life’s abstraction. Inviting us to take a step closer or further back, and come to terms with something before us that may not always make sense. Is that not life? Don’t we all struggle to make sense of the unknown and struggle with our lack of control?

Perhaps the artist strived to harness a symbolic message. Perhaps he toyed with the idea of a different cultural message. In the end, when something is done wholeheartedly and with a unity of intention we encounter natural harmonisation. The abstract artist offers an abstract Harmony into Culmination. The message he shares is not the result but the process to get there.

Finding Clarity within Abstraction. A Conversation with Putu Bonuz Sudiana.

“When I am in the act of painting there is a freedom and a wildness. However, there is in the moment of execution a need for control. For example, there are colours that I know will not create any harmonisation so we decrease these things. Even in the total freedom of our creative sanctuary, we have the responsibility to exercise consideration.“

“As human beings, we have such personal issues that can and will disturb us. A canvas with this many colours can be seen as a representative of life and its many disturbances. So many conflicting things. we wish to find harmony amidst all the different elements. I know that is true because when I finish this work and the elements are working well together, it makes me happy.”

“Culmination is the highest peak. From many visual elements of many artists coming from many segments. The characteristics of their work are different. Going through a different process to reach a certain peak of harmony and hopefully be able to read the harmony within themselves as well as see it in the community.”

Clarity of Abstraction for the Individual

Culmination brings an offering, as selfless as we are able, a sharing of voices that hopes in its unity, be powerful enough to generate a momentum of natural positivity within our community. Here, in the second chapter of Sawidji Culmination articles I share the message from one of the most individual abstract artists in our community. Through the most private process of his work, the message is simple and profound. A painting that confronts us with its indecipherable form. Abstract means that which has no shape. Perhaps we can interpret this as makes no obvious literary, tangible sense.

If we look without judgment we accept the energy offered and hear the artist’s reflections and words. Offered here wholeheartedly and honestly. He shares his survival. How to come to peace with himself and with the world that often makes no sense and constantly disturbs. It is an ongoing effort to cultivate and be honest with the self. In a time when we judge what we don’t understand instead of learning from it, Culmination is happy to share the wisdom of constant cultivation. Balance and harmony are fought for. It is realised through discipline and effort. Even in freedom, we have the responsibility of many considerations.

Abstract Harmony for the Community

‘Abstract’ is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as ‘existing as an idea, feeling, or quality, not as a material object.’ In art, abstract work does not present pictorial forms. One theoretical premise is that it employs only a few of the visual design elements within a painting such as colour, shape and line. Missing many of the others. It is non-representational and subjective. To find the highest point of harmony, perhaps we need to sacrifice our preconceived ideas of what that should be. Accept the missing elements. But we work with the elements that can come together in synergy and bring that into balance. Even if it does not look like what people expect. This expresses beautifully the spirit of the Culmination Exhibition.

Energy Connects and Inspires

Throughout Culmination, the opportunity we had to learn from each other was also special. Sharing a connection by opening up and listening keenly to the message given by each other. Sava Istanbul Larry, a graffiti artist collaborating with digital collage artist David Hopkins was moved by the three-meter-wide visual rhapsody of colours on the wall and shared his thoughts.

“Harmony and positivity. A journey or path that leads us to an imaginary cosmos. My attention is drawn to this painting by Putu Bonuz. Understanding abstract art does not come naturally to everyone. It is the kind of art that makes some people confused. The sense of composition, and a deep understanding of the workings of colour. Most abstract artists can draw a perfectly rendered rose or a realistic portrait, but they choose not to. At its basis, it is about form, colour, line, texture, pattern, composition and process. Harmony is a painting in acrylic splashes that seem random but full of compositional mastery.

The energy felt from the composition is hypnotic, perhaps we need an intuitive sensitivity of our imagination to understand the messages in colours and textures. Then ultimately, the story unfolds and becomes an experience in that moment. I can feel this in Putu Bonuz’s work Harmony. He achieves a culmination of harmony. The colours and textures which become the depth of the concept of something complex become the artist’s exploration process in expressing it through works in the form of visual abstract paintings. I find Rolan Barthes’ semiotic perspective helpful as a reference when interpreting or seeking a visual abstract painting.”