Bayu Utomo Radjikin (b. 1969) Cock, 2005

The canvas shows an assemblage of rooster, with fascinating yet familiar biomorphic forms. Dark, moody colours create an atmosphere of mystery across the canvas. The connection between the internal subconscious and reality through the organic forms is suggested through the image. Bayu virtually stormed into mainstream art when he captured the Major Award in the Young Contemporary Artists competition with his Bujang Berani sculpture bust in 1991, which bucked the trend of Islamic Art brought about by the Ayatollah Khomeiny fundamental messianic strictures of the mid-1980s. That year he also won a Special Award in the One World - No War competition organised by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall. In 1992, he again made a big impact with his Minor Award win in the prestigious Salon Malaysia 1991-1992. In the Malaysian level of the Philip Morris Asean Art Awards, Bayu won Honourable Mention twice, in 1994 and 1995. What is most dynamic about the artist is that he went on to establish the Malaysian Emerging Artist Award as a collaboration between his gallery, Hom Art Trans and Galeri Chandan, apart from regional art initiatives in art residencies and the Art Triangle bringing together outstanding young artists from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Bayu graduated with a BFA in UiTM in 1991. His solo exhibitions include Ada Apa Dengan Tengkorak, ChanHampe Galleries, Singapore & Hom Art Trans, KL (2015), Face Without Name, The Substation Gallery, Singapore (2011).