Self Identity 1: Affandi

Affandi, Self-Portrait, 1975, oil on canvas

1. Describe this painting.

This painting is a self portrait of Affandi. The painting depicts an elderly man, with unkempt, thinning hair and missing teeth. Influenced by Van Gogh, Affandi has painted himself in an expressionistic style, employing the use of colour and lines to portray a rather abstract image of himself.

The colours used are largely exaggerated and detached from reality. Affandi applied mainly warm colours like red, yellow and orange throughout the painting, except for some earthly brown and flesh undertones, as well as some cooler hues of green and purple in the background. The cool colours have a receding effect, thus making his face stand out.

In his self portrait, Affandi executed curvilinear, wavy and fluid lines, that vary in direction and thickness. The expressive and convoluted brushstrokes, are created by directly squeezing the paint out of the tube and onto the canvas, and painting with his fingers. A rough texture is created due to the thickly applied paint.

2. How does the artist create movement in this artwork?

Affandi's unique style of squeezing paint directly onto a canvas, and painting with his bare hands allows him to paint freely and expressively, producing wavy lines that create a rhythmic movement.

The viewer's eyes follow the lines and curves, tracing the contours of his face and features. The lack of uniformity and the fluidity of the lines and swirls evoke a sense of freedom in movement.

3. What is your interpretation of this artwork and why?

Painting by pure instinct and impulse, Affandi expressed himself freely, exuding his personality. In his self portrait, Affandi dared to portray his physical flaws, including his broken teeth and thinning hair. However, his wide grin, as well as the vibrant colours splashed across his face imbibe a sense of dynamism and passion despite his old age.

Affandi abandoned his paintbrush and chose to paint with his bare hands. Affandi seeks to convey that age and appearance do not matter, and that each individual's personality, confidence and passion is what truly counts.