Tiara
Artist Statement
I have always wanted to find a way to combine different mediums; to incorporate personal experiences in a way that others can still relate; and to mix different styles. This is important for me as I am still in the beginning of my career, it then enables me to stay curious and further develop my art. Hence, I naturally gravitated towards taking inspiration from film photography that I take of my surroundings and the people that animate my life. I then turn them into paintings, where I usually use oils for the portraits and other mediums like acrylics or spray paint for the background. The flower that is a recurring pattern that I use in my paintings is added in contrast to the portraits that are meticulously executed. Therefore I want to let my mind free for the background, this usually includes some kind of bright color and a flower.
I also tend to have a broad supply of inspirations, from Indonesian to French culture; some more classic references, gained academically or through literature, or some more up to date influences through social media and exhibitions. Through my work, I intend to translate the value that I hold for human connection, as I believe that I am the sum of all the people that I have met and cherished for whatever period of time.
Artist Biography
Tiara is a French-Indonesian artist, whose work involves film photography turned into mixed media paintings. Based between Bali, Jakarta and Paris, she draws inspiration from this multicultural circle. She has continually built her craft along the years; studying painting in her early age with her mother, Nita Nursita, and other mentors like ibu Titis Jabaruddin; as well as her photography background that comes from her father, Bruno Kvot. Currently studying fine arts in Sorbonne, a French University.
Style: Close to realistic portraiture mixed with colourful abstract / graffiti background
Mediums: Traditional - Acrylic, Traditional - Oil, Traditional - Multimedia
La femme en rose
150 x 220 cmIn, “La femme en rose”, I depict a woman applying lip gloss, painted in oils; against a pink vibrant backdrop, painted with acrylics. The stark contrast between the detailed subject and the loose uniform background, invites the viewers to focus on the person and after that to notice the added elements, such as the flowers. In fact, this is the characteristic process that I follow for most of my pieces. I usually go for a close to realistic portrait paired with more of an unrestricted freehand background, usually incorporating a flower. Drawing inspiration from the Indonesian artist Sunaryo. I came across his painting “Putting on makeup” made in 1997 where he paints a woman putting on lipstick, getting ready to go perform a traditional dance. It was on a magazine page that was passed on from my mother’s art mentor. She later showed it to me and it directly made me think of a film photograph that I took of my best friend getting ready. In this way, it is the sublime process of transfer of knowledge and inspiration through generations of women.La femme en rose, translated from French means “the woman in pink”. It is a play on words from the famous song “La vie en rose” from Edith Piaf, where she describes a love filled relationship with a man. On the other hand, in my work I aim to highlight the deep connection of women’s friendships that are often overlooked. The moments, like putting on makeup, that forms and deepens a friendship. I urge the viewers to celebrate the women that bring light into their lives.
As we bloom
100 x 100 cmA painting composed of four different pieces, with a portrait of a woman on each one. “As we bloom”, is a story of self discovery, the never ending search of oneself as we grow in life. Similarly, each woman's face is fully painted with oils and the rest of their torso is loosely drawn with charcoal. It gives a sense of absence, of a missing piece, of a void that is left to colour. I wanted to portray the passing of time, the fear of growing old and losing that sense of freedom, of playfulness. It is well depicted through each figure’s emotions. I believe in the beauty of never being complete, to always having curiosity and something new to discover, to flourish into, no matter what age.
Buka mulutmu
75 cm x 80 cmThis is an autoportrait of myself, painted on wood. It was the first time I tried this new medium. Not only did it enable me to discover a new path in my practice but I believe painting an autoportrait also led me to rediscover myself as a woman. I decided to paint myself not necessarily in an embellished manner but in a way that is raw and mundane. To show that you can also love yourself in the littlest of moments.
To see more artworks or contact the artist, visit their links below