Artistic siblings turn eye on human nature<\/p>\n
Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Graphic art is a relatively new, lesser known tradition compared
\nto the genre of painting in this country.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, the pioneers of the development of graphic art
\nwere painters, sculptors and other artists who discovered
\nprinting as another means to express themselves.<\/p>\n
"The development of graphic arts here is not very good. Many
\npeople still don't find it interesting, or understand it," said
\nYogyakarta-based graphic artist M. Khaeruddin.<\/p>\n
A graduate of the Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI), the 35-
\nyear-old said that only a couple of members of a graduating class
\ncontinue in the field.<\/p>\n
"Other people mostly works in the advertising field, or make
\nbook covers," Khaeruddin said. "That includes me."<\/p>\n
Part of the problem is sourcing the equipment, such as that
\nneeded for lithographs.<\/p>\n
"Only when I received an invitation for a workshop could I
\nmake a lithograph," said Khaeruddin, a semifinalist in the
\nIndonesian Arts Awards 2000.<\/p>\n
Despite the limitations of a lack of recognition and equipment
\nproblems, he has not abandoned his field. Some of his works and
\nthose of his brother, A. Rahman Saleh, are now on show at the
\nBritish Council here until June 30.<\/p>\n
Titled Fragmen Imajinasi (Imagination Fragments), the
\nexhibition showcases the siblings' contemplation of the crises
\naffecting the country.<\/p>\n
In the pamphlet for the exhibition, the brothers (Rahman did
\nnot attend the opening) said that the works were the result of
\ntheir restlessness to find the values of humanity.<\/p>\n
They are explored in absurd symbols or distortion of form,
\nwhich, they said, expressed a rebellion against rigid cultures
\nand behavior.<\/p>\n
Khaeruddin uses the techniques of drawing, woodcuts, etching
\nand silk screen, most produced in dark, gloomy colors.<\/p>\n
Of all the symbols and distorted forms, he exploits eyes the
\nmost "because eyes don't lie". The eye, in diverse forms and
\nvariations, are featured throughout the exhibition.<\/p>\n
"But the whole theme is fragmented, so it's not the same (for
\neach work). It's just aimed at showing our restlessness and
\nfeeling disturbed," Khaeruddin said.<\/p>\n
The works also reflects an innocence lost through Khaeruddin's
\nlonging for his childhood.<\/p>\n
One of the works are Ndongeng (Telling Story), an image with a
\nchild-like style, where people and animals are forming a circle.<\/p>\n
"I really miss the storytelling tradition which now seems to
\nhave disappeared. While the stories told have good moral lessons.
\nKids today watch too much TV and play computer games," he said.<\/p>\n
"They don't know traditional games anymore, like jelangkung
\nfor instance."<\/p>\n
Fragmen Imajinasi graphic art exhibition, until June 30;
\nExhibition room British Council, S. Widjojo Center 1st Fl., Jl.
\nJend. Sudirman No. 71; Tel. (021) 2524115;
\nwww.britishcouncil.or.id<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/artistic-siblings-turn-eye-on-human-nature-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}