In an art gallery setting, one is often overwhelmed by a plethora of visuals. But what happens when text is married into an exciting visual? Would words enhance an image? Would your initial interpretation be otherwise, different?

8Q SAM currently features a powerful range of paintings by Indonesia artist, I Nyoman Masriadi. Titled Masriadi: Black is My Last Weapon, his intensely vibrant works are often paired with witty text encapsulated in blockish speech bubbles – similar to a comic strip.

Though yours truly comprehends not a single word in of Bahasa Indonesia, it certainly gave me a sense of knowing upon reading the translated text on the wall beside the work. Undoubtedly the paintings were impressive on their own, but Masriadi’s wit added a quirky touch to them.

Highlighting the idea of power relations between people, a memorable piece featured his critics (curators and fellow artists alike) questioning his status as an artist, to an extent of suggesting that he should practice performance art to elevate his popularity. It’s an interesting way of almost poking fun at your antagonists – instead of attacking them, but immortalising them in painting. As the artist said, enemies are created and having enemies will keep you on your toes.

So who are your critics? What would your speech bubble say?