“Follow the Clowns” ink & acrylic on paper
Toto Sugiarto, an Indonesian-born artist with a passion for social justice, will have his latest works on display through March 28th at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2730 E. 31st Street, Minneapolis. The exhibit opened on February 7, and Sugiarto will lead an hour-long educational forum about his paintings and concepts on March 7th at 9:55 a.m. in the church library.
“We consume so many natural resources. We waste, mistreat and exploit the earth and God’s creation. We demand so many things in our lives to make us more ‘comfortable’, so much so that our environment is suffering because of our huge demand, ” states Sugiarto.
“As the land, our environment and livestock become more abused and exploited, it is our children who will pay the price,” he added. “I express these convictions in my art to remind myself and others to be aware of the extent of our lust for “consumerism.”
Sugiarto’s work has been exhibited around the metro area including InterMedia Arts. His skill ranges from the traditional Indonesian masks, hand carvings, batik, plaster and sculpture to oil on canvas painting. He is also exploring new areas of computer animation at related art.
Sugiarto’s past work has dealt with the dark chapter of Indonesian history, the homeland he loves but left during what he called a cultural, social and environmental upheaval. The art is sometimes dark and introspective as a result but with a message that he says is expression that he could not put to pen and paper but has this outlet to pull his thoughts and ideas together.
Gallery hours are Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Wednesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information on the exhibit call 612-729-8358 or visit online at htlcmpls.org.
