“Happiness Rider” by John Martono

John Martono graduated from the Faculty of Art and Design at Bandung Institute of Technology with a Major in Textile Design. Since graduating, he has remained a loyal creative in the realm of textile and continues to fill the void of exhibiting artists in this genre. His works document his 10-year long journey in exploring silk, both synthetic and natural. Silk is not only a rare material for artistic expression, but it is also incredibly unpredictable and has a certain flatness that is more difficult to work past than canvas. However, John masterfully controls the pigments of the paint so that they seep into the large pores of the silk – allowing it to be shaped in such a way as to break away from the common standards of abstract painting on canvas. Not only does John paint on silk, he also weaves giving it a rich texture and in some cases, building certain images and associations.   Composed in bright colors –the psychedelic “colors of the 70s” as he called them- John’s silk paintings are produced through a series of unique creative processes. He rejoices through these processes while listening to the blues, his favorite music, his “vitamin,” as he refers to it. In general, John’s paintings reflect his spiritual experience. Not only do they represent joyous and pleasurable moments, but they also depict his darker memories and experiences.  https://tuskgallery.com/2014/01/14/john-martono-painted-silk-hand-embroidery/#more-3176