Soeka
The faces tell the story
Henry Soekarman Kartotaroeno, better known as Soeka presents to the public an art form which not many contemporary artists in Suriname presently employ. Black and white life like portraits done in conté on paper and oils on canvas, are without a doubt the specialty of this unpretentious but highly skilled artist. Starting on August 5th the Readytex Art Gallery launches a special Mini Feature on Soeka during which an extensive selection of the artist’s remarkable work will be exhibited in the Gallery’s main hall.
Special passions of Soeka are the expressive faces of the Surinamese people of African descent. The artist is not interested solely in creating a realistic image of the particular person in his portraits, but is obsessed with capturing the animated expressions of his chosen subject. So although the accuracy of anatomy in his paintings is striking, more than anything else the emotional expressions, the all revealing eyes and the lines in the weathered faces are the distinguishing features which set apart the work from this artist. The viewer is inadvertently drawn to the characters and into speculation about the story behind the faces.
Although the artist did not complete his education at the Nola Hatterman Institute, this period was largely responsible for stimulating the interest and determination to further develop his artistic talent. As a largely “self made” artist the level of skill and technical expertise exhibited by Soeka are quite remarkable. Most admirers easily make the mistake of thinking that the portraits done in oil are done with charcoal, but the artist handles his brush and his oils with tremendous ease and skill and has the ability to instantly create the effect he desires. The same is true for his work in conté and whatever material Soeka chooses to use the depth and emotional quality of the work always make a powerful statement.
This latest Mini Feature at the Readytex Art Gallery is quite unique. Visitors of previous mini features and exhibitions at the Readytex Art Gallery are for the most part used to a great variety of art displays but this particular type of exhibit with all black and white paintings, is a new and interesting presentation.
Real lives, real people and the story told by a face or posture, that is what art by Soeka is all about!
Don’t miss this Mini Feature on art by Soeka starting on the 5th of August in the Readytex Art Gallery. The Readytex Art Gallery is open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am until 16:30 pm and on Saturday’s from 8:30 am until 13:30 pm. The Readytex Art Gallery is located on the Maagden straat 44 upstairs, in the Readytex department store building.
Team Readytex Art Gallery