Lot 63: Staple agony - II (Plastic Memory)

Justin Ponmany (b. 1974)
Staple agony - II (Plastic Memory)
signed and dated on the overlap 'Justin Ponmany 2006' and titled 'staple agony - ii' (Plastic Memory) (on the reverse) each
acrylic and holographic pigment on canvas; diptych
75 x 128 in. (190.5 x 325.1 cm.)
Painted in 2006

Basel, Gallery Nature Morte, Art Basel, 2006

Justin Ponmany: dedicated to my 20's, Bose Pacia, Nature Morte, New Delhi, 2007, p. 6-11, Illustrated

Gallery Nature Morte, New Delhi

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In his Plastic Memory series of paintings the artist has used objects that one regularly uses for domestic purposes. In this particular painting Justin depicts a 'staple-gun' and as if with Midas touch this gun has also transformed into plastic. These objects are the gateway to the artist's understanding of a community represented here by the faceless, ambiguous figure.

My ambition is that of a hacker who breaks into a code that sets up our reality and hence my work is spurred on by any sudden moment of truth when everything around (every facade) collapses and only the threadbare nakedness of the weaving remains. The domain I deal with ranges from the material 'plastic' to a state of mind or conscience that is- unfortunately plastic; what I'd like to term as 'Plastic Memory' or 'non-biodegradable memory.' (in correspondence with the artist)

Justin Ponmany's tools are often industrial; the artist infects his surfaces with plastic, resin, printer's ink, salt and holograms to create his stylistic effects. His slick holographic media, reflecting light and jumping out at viewers adds an ephemeral quality to his paintings.