By Sudibyo M. Wiradji -10pts Metrolight l\/c<\/p>\n
MAGELANG, Central Java (JP): Two kilometers from the famous
\nBorobudur Temple stands a newly established private fine arts
\nmuseum representing works of modern artists.<\/p>\n
The museum, opened recently by Minister of Education and
\nCulture Wardiman Djojonegoro, was established by Haj Widayat, one
\nof Indonesia's most distinguished painters, who has been
\ncritically acclaimed for his treatment of flora and fauna.<\/p>\n
Called the H. Widayat Museum, this new art facility, situated
\nin Mungkid, will be the seventh of its kind established by an
\nindividual artist. Others include the Affandi Museum in
\nYogyakarta and the Sutedja Neka Museum in Ubud, Bali.<\/p>\n
One large room of the white, two-story building displays some
\nof Widayat's impressive works, including Masks, King Solomon and
\nThe Animals, Faces of Affandi, Sakura Flower and Queen of the
\nJungle.<\/p>\n
"He has a way of grouping his objects together that seems to
\nrun against the norms of composition and which gives rise to
\nstrange visual movement," Agus Dermawan T., an art critic, said
\nin a book entitled "Greng," the Expression of Paintings of
\nWidayat, which accompanied the official opening.<\/p>\n
On the second floor is a collection of paintings, graphics and
\ndrawings by different artists. The works on display were selected
\nby a team of curators made up of the late But Mochtar, the late
\nOei Hong Djien, Koesnadi and Fadjar Sidik.<\/p>\n
Numerous antique ceramics, wood carvings and statues
\nsupplement each room, providing additional comfort to the
\ninterior and exterior of the museum.<\/p>\n
Obsession<\/p>\n
Reflecting Widayat's obsession with developing modern
\nIndonesian fine arts and promoting young painters, the museum not
\nonly houses dozens of selected pieces he created during his
\ncareer, but also those of students of the ASRI Indonesian Arts
\nAcademy.<\/p>\n
These works by students are among the 200 which Widayat has
\ncollected since 1962.<\/p>\n
"Their best works should not be thrown away," said Widayat,
\nwho is also a dedicated art instructor.<\/p>\n
Works by other noted painters from Widayat's generation, such
\nas Fadjar Sidik, Bagong Kussudiardjo, Abdullah, Rusli and
\nSudarso, are also found at the museum. Subroto SM, Aming
\nPrayitno, Sudarisman and Suwaji, are just a few of the young
\nartists with works on display.<\/p>\n
The museum is expected to serve as a barometer for the
\ndevelopment of fine arts in Indonesia, Widayat said.<\/p>\n
"It will also provide a comparative study for those who are
\nlearning about fine arts," he added.<\/p>\n
Statue park<\/p>\n
The Rp 600 million museum (US$279,069), erected on a 5,000-
\nsquare-meter plot, will house a statue park behind the main
\nbuilding. Presently under construction, this park -- called Taman
\nPatung -- will display Widayat's collection of outdoor statues as
\nwell as works of other artists.<\/p>\n
Within the museum complex, a two-story house is also being
\nconstructed to accommodate visiting art enthusiasts.<\/p>\n
Widayat, 75, is said to be a perfectionist who is not easily
\nsatisfied with his accomplishments. His future projects -- part
\nof his master plan for the museum -- include building
\nsupplementary facilities such as a library, a meeting room, an
\naudiovisual room and an exhibition room where collections of
\nstatues, graphics and acrylic arts would be displayed
\npermanently.<\/p>\n
Challenges<\/p>\n
Widayat decided to build the museum following his two-year
\nstay in Japan in 1962, where he studied ceramic, exterior
\nlandscaping and ikebana, the Japanese art of arranging flowers.<\/p>\n
But his dream did not readily materialize. His greatest
\nchallenge was finding a suitable site.<\/p>\n
He was compelled to cancel the construction plans several
\ntimes before he eventually found the current site in Mungkid.<\/p>\n
One such difficulty occurred with a piece of land he had
\nacquired for the project in the Sleman regency, Yogyakarta. After
\nhe had designed the museum for the plot, the project team had dug
\nthe site for construction (at Rp 6 million) and the contractor
\nhad started accumulating building materials, he received an
\nunfavorable letter containing absurd demands from area residents.<\/p>\n
The demands, including the construction of a tunnel to herd
\ntheir buffalo through and compensation for the shadows cast over
\ntheir crops by the building, forced Widayat to relocate,
\nrealizing the museum would not be welcomed by the farmers.<\/p>\n
Now that his dream is realized, Widayat may have to overcome
\nother problems. It is no secret that Indonesian museums face
\ntremendous difficulties. Several museums are in poor condition
\ndue either to lack of maintenance funds or poor management. It is
\nfeared that the Haj Widayat Museum will suffer a similar fate.<\/p>\n
"We have prepared for everything. We have what is called an
\nendless fund in the form of a bank deposit. I don't know how much
\nit is. It is not my business. It is my wife's concern," Widayat
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
"Certainly, we are always trying to collect more funds. I am
\noptimistic. Above all, I hope to succeed with every exhibition,"
\nWidayat said.<\/p>\n
Concerning his paintings in the museum, he said that all of
\nhis works have been registered with a notary public.<\/p>\n
"No one is allowed to sell any of the paintings inside the
\nmuseum," he stressed.<\/p>\n
Each of his 11 children have received between four to six
\npieces, which are priced at approximately Rp 50 million
\n($24,500), Widayat said.<\/p>\n
"Based on bad experiences (of other artists), it seems Widayat
\nhad professionally prepared the management long before the museum
\nwas established," said painter Bagong Kussudiardjo, one of the
\nartists gathered at the museum during the opening ceremony.<\/p>\n
-30--<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/by-sudibyo-m-wiradji-10pts-metrolight-lc-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }