Arti Magazine, Edition 022/December 2009
Bringing to the frond a main figure ( idea), amongs many figures
Text and photo : Sony Wibisono
There might be moments, when we have so many questions in our minds because we are standing in the middle of a crowds, for example a bus stop in the morning. So many people gather in that place, a ticket go between seller, who is looking for customers, so that he can have some money in return from the bus driver assistant, and also a gentlemen who looks worried because he is almost late to the office. All have different motivations, but they are all together in a single space called the bus stop, doing the same activity: waiting.

The above description may serve as an introduction to the solo exhibition of Hansen Thiam Sun, at H2 Gallery, Semarang. The man born in Toho, West Borneo, 49 years ago, assemble the variety of motivations, thoughts, identities and changes, into the 19 art works he displayed on the exhibition.

Although he brings many human figures to represent the crowd in the background on his canvas, Hansen gives more details on some certain objects. Hansen highlight the main figure. Perhaps it is his strategy to draw the observer's attention to the main idea which is being communicated. Like a photographer who sets the diaphragm opening of his camera as wide as possible, so that he can have the maximum effect to the background of the main object.

But the man who once studies in the Mechanical Design, Taipei, devided the space for primary object and secundary object by combining the details of the naturalist style brushstrokes and prominent graphical elements. Check how the figures beside the main object being depicted in a drawing style similar to digital processing tools in a computer. In addition, his prominent color contrast brings his work closer to the taste of urban graphic art.

While Hansen work on the background of a crowd by contemporary graphic art approach, he displayed the main figure by using photographic style. His technical ability in creating details, by combining natural colour and lightning, has made he figure stood out. Just take a look how a middle aged woman delightfully shows off her corny dressing in the work title "Action"

The painting desplays the combination of ragged shirt and a jarit cloth, and also a head cover arranged carelessly. Behind it, there are figures wearing modern and trendy clothes that look distant and cold. Although the woman who becomes the main figure does not wear cloth with any distict characteristic.She looks as if she has a unique identity as a village woman just by the way she dress up. From here than comes the topic on how the village people come face to face with a fast mass culture.

By using Hansen visual style, we could see something is happening inside the crowded canvas space. What is exactly the emotional condition of two kids who are competing in kerupuk(creackers) eating competition in celebrating Independence Day in the painting "17-08-09". Will they still be as passionate and expressive when they are no longer watched and urged on by their neighbors and families?