Art classes becoming the latest trend<\/p>\n
By Muninggar Sri Saraswati<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A nude young man sat quietly with an empty look
\non his face in the middle of a dimly lit room. His face showed no
\nemotion even though he was surrounded by several people who now
\nand then carefully observed him.<\/p>\n
Do not misunderstand the situation. This was not a striptease
\nshow.<\/p>\n
Welcome to a modeling session at Teguh Gallery in Cilandak,
\nSouth Jakarta. It is just one of many galleries and art studios
\nin the city offering painting classes, which have become a trend
\nhere lately.<\/p>\n
The owner, prominent artist Teguh Ostenrik, claimed that he
\ndecided to open the painting class about four and a half years
\nago because he wanted to share his skill in art.<\/p>\n
Teguh told The Jakarta Post that he oversaw the students'
\nprogress personally, depending on their ability.<\/p>\n
\"My theory is to reduce the students' mistakes so I let them
\nmake mistakes first,\" he said, adding that he would reveal the
\ncorrect way afterward.<\/p>\n
At the beginning of the course, a student learns to exercise
\nhis basic drawing skills by sketching a human model. One has to
\ndraw with charcoal at the first level, then with India ink and
\nthen charcoal again. At the advanced level, students draw
\nsomething in a room, imagining an object she or he has seen
\nbefore.<\/p>\n
Most students who come to the Teguh Gallery are foreigners.<\/p>\n
\"Several Indonesians attend the course here as well, but they
\ndon't make a commitment to learn seriously,\" Teguh remarked.<\/p>\n
Yani, an assistant at the gallery, said one could attend the
\ntwo-hour class every day except Wednesdays and Saturdays. There
\nare three to five students in a class and each student pays about
\nRp 150,000 (US$13) a session. The fee covers the materials,
\nexcept the canvas.<\/p>\n
A student at the gallery, Eliana Thorpe, said she attended the
\ncourse because she wanted to take painting seriously.<\/p>\n
Thorpe, who comes from South America, has been attending the
\ncourse for about three years. Her paintings have been displayed
\nin an exhibition along with Teguh's, and so far she has sold five
\nof them.<\/p>\n
\"It is not about the money, but I feel satisfaction when
\nsomeone appreciates my paintings,\" she remarked, adding that
\njoining a painting class relaxes her mind as well.<\/p>\n
For those who just want to kill time or consider taking
\npainting as a hobby can check out other places which cater to
\ntheir needs.<\/p>\n
One of them is Hadiprana Gallery in Kemang, South Jakarta,
\nwhich offers classes for adults and children.<\/p>\n
According to gallery assistant Erna, Hadiprana has provided
\nclasses since August 1998. The subjects for adults include water
\ncolor painting, oil painting, batik painting, folk art painting
\non wood, glass and ceramics and pergamano (paintings usually made
\nfor invitation cards).<\/p>\n
Course fees range from Rp 300,000 ($27) to Rp 600,000 per
\nsubject. Each course requires six to eight sessions of classes
\nthat are two hours long and held once a week. The fee does not
\ninclude painting materials, which is an additional Rp 300,000.<\/p>\n
Drawing classes are offered to children from between Rp
\n240,000 and Rp 300,000.<\/p>\n
The gallery has 10 teachers who mostly have a background in
\ninterior design and each class has between eight and 12 students.<\/p>\n
\"Students are free to express their ideas in their work, but
\nthe teacher will show some painting techniques, including on
\ncolors, lines and shapes,\" she told the Post.<\/p>\n
She said some adult students joined the course because it was
\na hobby for them, but others said they wanted to fill up their
\nspare time. Most students who attend classes on days other than
\nSaturday are housewives.<\/p>\n
\"They believe that joining a course in painting is better then
\nshopping,\" she said.<\/p>\n
The gallery has put on several exhibitions to show off its
\nstudents' work.<\/p>\n
Booming<\/p>\n
Painting courses have become quite popular among the well-off
\nfollowing a business boom in the local art world. Late in the
\n1990s, when the rupiah's value had already dropped, many troubled
\nart collectors sold their paintings, while those who still had
\nmoney started to invest in art. Foreign buyers also eyed the
\nworks of local artists. And a number of new galleries opened,
\nwhile no day went by without an art exhibition.<\/p>\n
Separately, the art curator of Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Ipong
\nPurnomo Sidi, said that in most painting classes, students were
\nonly taught painting techniques without exploring their ideas and
\ncreativity, which was the most important thing in art.<\/p>\n
Amir Sidharta from Museum Pelita Harapan told the Post by
\nphone: \"A painting course? It is good, why not? It is a useful
\nand alternative way to spend your spare time.\"<\/p>\n
He said that painting courses were a trend that started about
\n10 years ago, and reflected people's \"need for beauty\" here. He
\nnoted that in the 1970s most people did not consider painting to
\nbe important.<\/p>\n
Amir, who is also an art critic, believed that painting
\nclasses would contribute to the Indonesian art world, or at least
\nmotivate people to appreciate the arts.<\/p>\n
\"But of course, only one or two students who take painting
\nclasses become qualified painters,\" Amir remarked.<\/p>\n
Amir warned that people needed to be careful when choosing a
\ncourse in painting considering the fact that there are probably
\nsome places which were business oriented. He suggested they check
\nthe teacher's qualifications and course curriculum, which should
\ncover basic to advanced skills.<\/p>\n
\"Don't forget to tell them your painting skill. It is
\nessential to know which level you should attend,\" he ended.<\/p>",
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