Michael Tedja: The color guide series and more

Michael Tedja's artwork is a vibrant and visually playful blend of draftsmanship, painting, literature, and installations. It recalls the CoBrA movement of artists from Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam, embracing expressionist spontaneity, vivid colors, folkloric elements, handwriting, and graffiti. Tedja's painting is a kind of IQ test, with abstract and figurative visual vocabulary complementing each other. His monograph includes large-scale paintings, an overwhelming installation of large drawings, and the Color Guide Series, which explores the alterability of meaning within the visual context of globalization.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 16 June 2022
Publisher: Hatje Cantz

Michael Tedja's artistic oeuvre is a vibrant and visually engaging tapestry, drawing upon diverse mediums such as draftsmanship, painting, literature, and installations. His artwork bursts with a flamboyant and playful spirit, reminiscent of the CoBrA movement, a brief alliance of artists from Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam that emerged after World War II. The CoBrA artists sought to dismantle bourgeois conventions and explore avant-garde art, embracing expressionist spontaneity, an unrestrained use of vivid colors, folkloric elements, handwriting, and graffiti.

However, Michael Tedja has injected a unique twist into this artistic movement. While retaining the folkloric and anti-intellectual elements, his paintings take on a distinct intellectual quality. His imagery is characterized by abstract and figurative visual vocabulary that harmoniously complement each other, creating a rich and expressive language. Tedja's paintings are replete with references and autobiographical elements, reflecting his personal experiences and perspectives.

This monograph presents a comprehensive exploration of Michael Tedja's artistic journey. It encompasses a wide range of his works, including large-scale paintings, his awe-inspiring installation of large drawings known as Hypersubjective, and the captivating The Color Guide Series. Tedja's artistic approach is characterized by his use of textured paint, crayon, and chalk on commercial paper stock. He leaves the color bars printed along the papers edge exposed, creating a distinctive and unconventional texture. By employing this unconventional medium, Tedja transforms mass-produced standard materials into something truly unique.

Yet, what sets Michael Tedja apart is his relentless exploration of the alterability of meaning within the visual context of globalization. Through the constant recycling and repurposing of images, he challenges the fixed nature of visual representation and questions the stability of meanings in a rapidly changing world. Tedja's artwork invites viewers to engage in a dynamic and multi-layered interpretation, encouraging them to explore the complexities of our contemporary visual landscape.

In conclusion, Michael Tedja's artistic oeuvre is a testament to his exceptional creativity and his ability to push the boundaries of artistic expression. His bold and playful approach, combined with his intellectual depth and his exploration of the alterability of meaning, makes his artwork a captivating and thought-provoking experience. This monograph provides a comprehensive glimpse into his artistic journey, showcasing his diverse range of works and his unique artistic vision.

Weight: 1600g
Dimension: 240 x 170 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783775752299