Identities was one of the works exhibited at The NUS Museum in Singapore 2008 in an exhibition entitled Mapping The Corporeal : Ronald Ventura, co-organized by Artesan Gallery and the NUS Museum. It received critical acclaim. The show was also a parallel event to the Singapore’s premiere Biennale which was held in 2008.

 

The work displays an open palm as if ready to show off its characteristic life lines, as represented by palmistry, or chiromancy - a claim of characterization, and practice that claims to foretell the future. Strewn across the hand are floating layers of different figures of a dragon, an angel, a skull and a serpent amongst others. The figures are drawn much like tattoo designs demonstrating a choice of permanence acquired by personal choice. It suggests how our existence continues, and the manner life is further complicated with a series of acquired experiences, choices, beliefs and stories, forming a unique anthology that becomes our own unique identity.

Many say that since Ronald Ventura opened his first major solo exhibition abroad, entitled Mapping The Corporeal (NUS Museum, Singapore, 2008), his career development and reputation has witnessed a truly stunning success. Renowned as a hyper-realist painter Ventura is able to combine images of fantasy and animation, often resulting in a collection of works with multi-layers of graphic ele…. 

 

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