“Larger than Life” is a solo exhibition by contemporary Indonesian artist, Dodit Artawan presented by Art Projects Gallery for the first time in Hong Kong. Based in Bali, Dodit is known for his hyperrealism oil paintings that give the illusion of reality. The “Larger than Life” solo exhibition showcases Dodit Artawan’s latest works featuring the artist’s favorite muses – icons of western consumerism culture – in particular, Barbie dolls and western branded alcohol, a strong visual and thematically complementary combination that the artist feels is able to project the intended representational imageries for the messages that he wants to convey. Dodit Artawan portrays Barbie and her friends in their impossibly perfect figures with flawless plastic complexions set against the glistening, reflective glass towers of gin, vodkas and whiskeys to convey a seductive image of glamour, consumerism and hedonism that is so intoxicating, addictive and difficult to resist, as a commentary on the social effects of globalization and invasion of a foreign culture that has been so readily embraced by society and thereby displacing local culture. Beyond Dodit Artawan’s impressive hyper-realistic compositions, the works’ high-definition details, vivid colors and rich textures further echoes the constant visual stimulations and sales pitch for consumer products and lifestyle that is being bombarded onto society today through printed media, television, advertisements and the internet. As a result, the visually dynamic qualities of Dodit Artawan’s works and the artist’s painting hyper-realistic technique become integral to the underlying meanings that they are meant to convey. Born and based in Bali, Indonesia, contemporary Indonesian artist Dodit Artawan (b.1978) studied fine art at the Indonesian Art Institute Denpasar Bali and in 2011 left the college to start his art career as part of the TAXU Art Clinic group, an artist collective focused on the breakaway from the hegemony of traditional Balinese art on the contemporary art scene in order to seek new expressions for contemporary art in Bali. Prior to the current solo exhibition in Hong Kong, Dodit Artawan has been widely exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Italy and USA.