Artists contrast widely at exhibition<\/p>\n
By Emma Cameron<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The exhibition "A German and Indonesian
\nExpression" is a testimony to the blind power of chance to create
\nnew and innovative art.<\/p>\n
The decision of artists Anke Malmvall from Germany and Yoes
\nRizal from Indonesia to exhibit together was purely coincidental.
\nAnke came to Indonesia simply because of a work opportunity for
\nher husband but the move meant she had the time to paint the
\nlandscapes of her new home. This is the first time that German
\nand Indonesian artists have exhibited together.<\/p>\n
Anke spent three and a half months in Bali where she took in
\nthe different styles of painting in the region. She said "I
\ncannot say there are big differences (between the two culture's
\npainting styles)", although she did feel that Balinese works had
\nmore colors and moods".<\/p>\n
However, it is the contrasts between the two artists and their
\nworks that makes the exhibition such a unique experience. At the
\nopening on Tuesday, Dr. Thomas Prinz, First Secretary and Head of
\nthe Cultural Department at the German Embassy, urged visitors to
\ncompare the works, saying "we see more than we would see if at a
\nsolo exhibition".<\/p>\n
Yoes and Anke alternatively come from a bustling city
\n(Jakarta) and a small town (Weimar), are male and female, paint
\nfigures and landscapes, use oil and watercolor and prefer big and
\nsmall canvasses. When hung in the same gallery, the differences
\nin their work becomes stark.<\/p>\n
Dr. Prinz also urged the viewer to look deeper and see the
\nsimilarities - both Anke and Yoes are professional artists who
\nhave studied art at a tertiary level (Anke at the Academy of Art
\nin Berlin and the Assenza School of Art in Switzerland and Yoes
\nat the Bandung Institute of Technology). They are also of the
\nsame generation with several exhibitions already behind them.
\nBoth artists also operate from a level of abstraction - their
\nsubjects can be recognized but they are not simply travel
\nillustrations (in the case of Anke) or portraits (in the case of
\nYoes). When painting, both artists also work from an unconscious
\nrather than a deliberate state of mind.<\/p>\n
Yoes, with his paintings of the human figure, no longer uses
\nmodels for his works. "I used to, but not now. Maybe I will
\nchange," he said. For Yoes, painting is a learning experience
\nthat finds him constantly evolving, "style is not the point.
\nArtists always change to find something new." He sees his figures
\nas sexless and is fascinated by the curves of the human form
\nrather than the rigidity of trees and houses.<\/p>\n
Yoes exclusively used oil on canvas in this exhibition with
\nmany paintings measuring 140 centimeters by 90 centimeters. The
\nlarge size of the works helps to convey the universality of the
\nthemes presented, such as the painting Needs of achievement which
\nportrays two figures, one crouching with the head bowed in folded
\narms, the other upright looking at the sun above.<\/p>\n
The words "light and darkness" are inscribed in the painting.
\nHowever Yoes is eager not to have his paintings defined by their
\nthemes, calling themes just a "starting point". He has no desire
\nto tell a story but rather to allow the viewer to bring their own
\ninterpretation to the works.<\/p>\n
In contrast to Yoe's fluidity, Anke's work are minimal and
\nmake use bold brush strokes and blocky, angular shapes. She said
\n"It is of course abstract, I try to reduce with few lines the
\ncharacteristics of landscapes."<\/p>\n
Anke used various mediums to paint her works, from eggtempura
\non canvas to acrylic and oil pastel to mixed media on cardboard.
\nFor Anke, her work must be created with the appropriate materials
\nand techniques, choosing these is a very important part of her
\ncreative process.<\/p>\n
Her works are largely inspired by Bali although a short visit
\nto Italy did result in one painting in the collection. The
\nrelative small size of Anke's paintings expresses her desire to
\ninternalize and spiritualize her subjects. Anke is influenced by
\nChinese Tusche painting which concentrates on the essentials and
\nexpresses with just a few brush strokes.<\/p>\n
Even Anke's use of color is minimalist with blacks, browns and
\ncreams the predominant colors. Anke explained the lack of color
\nin her Bali landscapes as an attempt to cope with the vibrancy
\nthat she witnessed. Anke's paintings are not only a source of
\nenergy for her but an attempt to create balance.<\/p>\n
This exhibition is not only a study of contrasts and painting
\nstyles but also an attempt to build bridges in multicultural
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
"A German and Indonesian Expression" is showing at the Galeri
\nMilenium, on Jl. Fatmawati, South Jakarta, from Nov. 17 to Dec.
\n8.<\/p>",
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