The stylized monochrome work in the form of German expressionism makes a strong statement as a personal contemplation of the roles of artistic practice in society. In Beban Sang Pelukis, the artist is weighed down by several elements, yearning for independence from the existing network of principles and theories required in the study of art. Located closely to the figure’s heart is the value of aesthetics. Agus Suwage’s art practice began to flourish during the mid-1990s during the years of regime change. He received international acclaim during this period and was invited to participate in international forums. His works frequently reference the social conditions, issues of power, myth, collective values, and stereotypes in society. One of Indonesia’s most prominent contemporary artists, Agus has taken part in the Jogja Biennale (2007 and 2013), Gwangju Biennale (2000), the Asia-Pacific Triennial (1996), Havana Biennale (1997), Singapore Biennale (2006). He received his MFA in Graphic Design at the Bandung Institute of Technology in 2006 after his BFA in 1979-1986. Since his first solo in Yogyakarta in 1991 (Cemeti Art House), he also had three solos at Tyler Rollins in New York in 2011, 2013 and 2017. His works are collected by the Singapore Art Museum, Fukuoka Art Museum, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Saitama Museum of Modern Art (Japan), Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and Cornell University (United States).