Silk Rodeo Ed. 1 of 50

At the heart of this Silk Rodeo we find a Javanese court official. Standing tall in a stately portrait of blended memories from his time along the Silk Roads. Collaged together from the annals of whitewashed content libraries that made his adventure hard to imagine…

Let’s say he was sent to wheel and deal and plead if he had to. Looking for better trades on his people’s commodities, which can’t support them in their double Dutch economy. But his Silk Rodeo isn’t all about them. He must find time for faith, of course — pre-planning his jaunts to Mecca, Al-Aqsa, Blue Mosqu and the Alhambra — wonders of the Islamic world lining his path toward those European crusaders who’ll determine his fate.

The 19th C. oil on paper of this Javanese court official is almost 2 metres tall. But it’s not a portrait. This Javanese ‘type’ was painted by an anonymous artist who isn’t believed to be Western. Helping to explain why, even though he’s archetypal, his humanity is on full display. Rendered by an artist who saw him as more than a subject. Which in turn helped me uncover a richly imagined life for this Javanese Cicero on a grand Silk Rodeo. Cutting a very fine figure in the newly globalised world of the Industrial Age. Which sparked the whole idea for this work, because the Javanese have been subject to foreign influence throughout their history, from the Indianised kingdoms of the past, the Islamic sultanates and the Dutch colonial period. Meaning many Javanese court officials would have been shipped out over the centuries to drum up support from faraway lands. Dressed here a la mode in Javanese finery paired with a sleek military jacket. Blending an admiral’s hat with the elegant flourish of a wrap-tied udeng. Turning fashion into a paradox — reflecting the push-pull dynamics between the colonised and the colonisers — a dance of Stockholm Syndrome co-dependence, sewn into sartorial elegance. And is it any wonder, then, that we find his face tangled? Stuck between grimace and bewilderment at the culture shock and awe of it all. En route and on repeat on this ever so grand Silk Rodeo.

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ABOUT ME
Born in Sydney, I spent my childhood surrounded by artists, oddballs and academics. They taught me to question everything. Respectfully and without fear.

Twenty-two countries and four continents later, I can find home anywhere with WiFi and a hearty chunk of intrigue. It's because of them, and I'm forever grateful.

ABOUT MY ART
It's All Just A Little Bit Of History Remixing...

We imagine history into existence every day. Shaping the world around us as we go. And I remake histories with every piece. From a motley crew of tales tall and true. A melange of myths, signs and symbols. Every one ripe for my kitsch confections, which could all be legends one day...

Every piece I create is true. Sourced from truth and grounded by it. But never real. Reality's a fiction we're all subscribed to, which doesn't make it any less true. And that's the thing about the truth. Or the past. It moves in both directions. Myriad, in fact. Never sitting still or doing as it's told. Forever questioned, dissected, reframed and upended. Queered and inverted. Packaged and performed. Told, retold, adapted then sold. Evolving like everything else. Which is why I like to think my art exists outside of time. Reaching for infinity instead of reality. A kaleidoscope of mish-mashed truths that are only ever as surreal as we choose to make them...
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Toby Leon