Ronald’s works are representative theses that marry his innovative belief to a strong artistic vision. He uses art as a medium to arrest and portray alternative narratives of quotidian lives and intermingling it with stories of the fantastical and the imaginary. His oeuvre deals with social issues and the intimate psyche of urban dwellers in a rapidly growing nation, wistful for the memories of the yesteryears while unable to cope with the changing landscapes of their youth.

 

In spite of its underlying messages, Ronald’s works are still often playful and injected with humour and pathos. It could be regarded as a reverse bildungsroman, where one chooses to deliberately return to a child-like state, innocent and unadulterated. Indeed, Ronald’s works transport its viewers and suspend them in a liminal space where personal history and cultural paradigms form the basis for a nascent, hybrid worldview.

Jurassic Park, 180×180 cm, Acrylic on Canvas, 2021

Drawing from the hit film franchise, ‘Jurassic Park’ is one of Ronald Apriyan’s most audacious works yet. Rendered in quintessentially vibrant form, the work still retains the series’ original, awe-inspiring quality while simultaneously showcasing Apriyan’s inimitable style. The dinosaurs that wander across the canvas, accompanied by Apriyan’s iconic characters, speaks of the artist’s dedication to his craft by capturing the sheer monumental energy that the dinosaurs had in the film. Once again, Apiryan dazzles with his craft and his capacity to transform well-known icons into one that is uniquely his.

Samurai X Rurouni Kenshin, 200×150 cm, Acrylic on Canvas, 2021

The latest addition to Ronald Apriyan’s series of movie heroes, ‘Samurai X’ is a stunning rendition of the hit manga and anime franchise that has enraptured a global audience. The titular character stands accompanied by Apriyan’s characters in ninja costumes, their movement capturing the dynamism of the fights that occur in the Samurai X world. With a hand ready on his sword, crouched in a fighting stance, the famed swordsman looks like he’s ready to leap through the canvas. The dimensionality of his posture attests to Apriyan’s skills at capturing the frenetic energy of the series through subtle movements. A master at capturing the vitality of any subject matter, Apriyan’s oeuvre is one that commemorates an expert at his craft and excelling at it.

Superman, 200×150 cm, Acrylic on Canvas, 2021

Majestic, grand and heroic, ‘Superman’ is a work that pushes Ronald Apriyan to even greater heights. With a dramatic cape that takes up the expanse of the canvas, combined with the sheer vastness of Superman himself, Apriyan captures the unparalleled epic quality of a comic character that has enraptured pop culture’s heart for decades.

Wolverine, 180×180 cm, Acrylic on Canvas, 2021

The sheer elaborateness of ‘Wolverine’ sets the work apart from Apriyan’s other works. With a background decorated with various scenes from the comic, it attests not only to its immense lore, but of the artist’s dedication to research and love for the character. Striking neon colours that embellish the surface work in tandem with the comic panels, capturing a fruitful partnership between classic and the contemporary modern.

Pac-Man, 180×180 cm, Acrylic on Canvas, 2019

‘Pacman’ is the quintessential Ronald Apriyan painting, and one that perfectly encapsulates the artist’s humour and his penchant for pop culture iconography. Interspersed with the iconic Pacman characters, each figure is rendered with Apriyan’s inimitable style and audacious colours. With the teeming mass of eclectic figures that dance across the canvas, Apriyan retains the exuberance of the classic game with his own special twist.

Read Prestige Magazine’s article on Ronald here, and the translated article in English here.

For more information on Ronald Apriyan, you can go here.