Spying Lens, by Lucia Hartini (1989)
Composition
We can observe a diagonal composition in this painting with a sense of depth and space. The linear perspective is created by drawing objects that decreases in size as the distance between them and the viewer increases. The horizon line (equivalent to the eye level of the viewer) seems to be at the top, or even beyond the edge of the canvas, suggesting the viewer’s superior position in relation to Lucia Hartini’s.
The foreground is made up of Lucia Hartini herself and a blue cloth that wraps around her. She curls up her body in a foetal position while suspending in the air.
In the middle ground, one will observe three eyeballs staring at Lucia Hartini with beams of blue, red and orange lights.
In the background, red clouds hovered against the dark sky; they seemed to concentrate at the far end to get in the path bounded between the red brick walls. As these clouds enter, they turned from red to white smokes, rapidly spreading across the space as they approach Lucia Hartini.
The brick walls extended across all three grounds together with the blue cloth. A contrast in texture is hence set up by the juxtaposition of the smooth fabric against the cracking walls.
Style
Lucia Hartini painted in a very realistic style. The subject matters are modeled with invisible brushstrokes in an attempt to resemble the reality. This approach, like most surrealists, allows the viewer to focus more on the symbolism behind each subject matter than on analysing her painting style.
The dreamlike composition has successfully evoked critical thinking on the viewer’s part. In addition, the abundant use of iconography and symbolism has made her work even more recognisable, especially for recurring motifs like herself, clouds, nature in “Umbrella, 2008” and eyeballs and brick walls in “Srikandi, 1993”.
However, I personally feel that her painting style should be further polished if she doesn’t mind changing her style to appeal to a wider range of viewers. As a surrealistic work usually focuses on the dreamlike composition of subject matters, one would expect an academic style of approach for the direct depiction of the subject matters. While her strength in connecting the symbols and the attempt to express feelings through emotion are very much acknowledged, I think a more harmonious colour scheme (with less intensity) and a more subtle approach to portray the shadows will enhance the visual appeal to general viewers (raising its popularity) and thus increase the effectiveness of “Spying Lens” to convey her message.
Principles of design
This shape highlights the 3 versus 1 relationship and Hartini’s passive role as a victim.
The flow of the fabric and the direction led by the brick walls act as guiding tools which brings the viewer’s attention to Lucia Hartini.
Symbolism
Lucia Hartini – Her sleeping state suggests her oblivious attitude to the issue of gender discrimination in her society. Also, the curling up, foetal position represents how she dreaded the idea of being judged by the society if she were to follow her intuitive wish to express herself.
Eyeballs – Being a female artist in the Muslim environment, the feelings of being suppressed and scrutinized were shown through the three eyes that watched over her. These eyes were reminiscent of the harsh criticism and skeptical looks reflected by the society.
Blue Cloth and Brick Walls – These two elements both showed the notion of confinement and restriction. The blue cloth tying around her body suggests how the societal expectations of a woman restricted her actions. On the other hand, the one-way path bounded by the brick walls reflects the only life she could live – to cook and care for children at home.
Clouds – The ever changing clouds are prophetic symbols of the future, representing Lucia Hartini’s uncertain and hazy future as a female artist.
The Little Deer, by Freda Kahlo (1946)
Comparison
This painting of a wounded deer trapped in the forest is reminiscent of Freda’s personal life. It is a commentary on her failing health at that time, as well as the worsening of her relationship with her husband. In Aztec culture, the deer symbolized the right foot, right foot is also the exact one which had crippled her for life during a bus accident.
Being shot by 9 arrows and trapped among 11 trees, they symbolise Freda was trapped in her life with no ability to escape. The arrows are direct symbolism for pains and suffers (both physical and emotional) that she had experienced during the bus accident and her entire life. This is accompanied by the broken tree branch on the floor which could represent her broken limb during the accident.
At the bottom, one can also see the word “carma”, which represents the concept of reincarnation, a fundamental belief for both Hinduism and Buddhism.
Despite her unfortunate life events, Frida still stood strong-willed and proud, as reflected from the calm expression on her face. This hints us on her attitude towards life as even when she was faced with life-threatening struggle, she wouldn’t show the faintest sign of discomfort.
In general, Lucia Hartini and Freda Kahlo were similar in their methods of self-expression. Both artists drew themselves in respective settings to tell a story about their lives. With the environment being a major factor impacting their lives, both artists had carefully planned the relationships between each subject matter and the human representational of themselves in the paintings.
However, Lucia Hartini in Spying Lens appeared less confident in her depiction of self against the odds when compared with Frida Kahlo in The Little Deer.
Self
I find both artists’ attempt to tell a personal story rather effective with the use of symbolism. Lucia Hartini had 5 symbolic items (Walls, clouds, cloth, eyeballs and herself) while Freda Kahlo had 7 (trees, broken branch, deer, arrows, “carma” and herself). While the interrelated relationships between themselves and at least 4 other items, both artists were able to convey a very indirect message about their life and the challenges they faced.
Referring to my previous blog task on Personal Values, I’ve found 7 items which maybe representational of me. Although my life story (it’s continuing) cannot be compared with Frida Kahlo or Lucia Hartini’s, the 6 years I’ve gone through under Singapore’s education system has had an impact on my character and personal beliefs.
After (almost) 4 years of self-discovery, I’ve come to realise how closely linked are thoughts, emotions, attitude, and even aspirations in relation to one’s daily experience. I will be looking for more effective symbols to be used in my coursework.
Thanks for reading and sorry for late submission. >_<
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