羅納德·溫杜拿

Private Collection, Singapore

The painting is in good condition overall. The canvas is clear and sound. There is minor wear and handling on the edges of the paintings, however this is only evident upon close observation. Framed, under Plexiglas. The sculptures are free from abrasion and chips. Any inconsistency is inherent to the artist's working method.
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The installation entitled The Human Series by Ronald Ventura demonstrates the artist’s desire to experiment with the pairing of two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects, and place them into a harmonious setting. The work is a collection of twelve canvas pieces accompanied by four sculptures. The Human Series touches upon people’s fascination with physique and status. In the series Ventura is revisiting a theme that frequently colors his artworks—the human anatomy.

In the mixed media work, each painting is made distinct by the different postures, gestures or facial expressions that embody the pieces. The installation seeks to analyze viewers’ perception about the human figure, and engage them in a visual discourse on the physical body. The male nude is a common motif in Ventura’s oeuvre. Gender awareness in artistic expression has evolved to become a cultural norm. The artist plays with this notion in the present work, by challenging aesthetics and popular constructs.

Ventura’s exploration of the human body continues with the four hand-painted sculptures made out of fiberglass. The hallowed bodies do not have arms or limbs, the artist choosing instead to direct the audience’s attention to the sculptures' torsos to become the focal point of the piece. Throughout Ventura’s artworks, there is a sense of mystery that engages the viewer to look deeper into the underlining message of each piece.

In a recent interview, Ventura said, "I see my works as signifiers of a context because I created them in a certain place, and that I, as an artist, am informed by a certain culture. I don’t believe art can resolve anything, really. It is an expression. I am trying to convey a sense of helplessness of living within a system that is obviously not working for most of its people. It happens that I am an artist and this is my way of dealing with it, visualizing it. Much like what the media does. I am just a mediator.”