Can part-timers be regarded as 'proper' artists?<\/p>\n
Boudewijn Brands, Contributor, Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
If you love to paint but cannot live from painting, what do you
\ndo?<\/p>\n
Well, many get a job and paint in their spare time. Are there
\nany galleries that want to exhibit their work? Mostly not;
\ninstead they are stigmatized as hobbyists or amateurs. A number
\nof painters in Yogyakarta have organized themselves into a
\ngroup that calls itself Sabtusiang (Saturday lunchtime).<\/p>\n
It was founded early in 2001 by Sriyadi, Sigit Raharjo and Adi
\nTaruno; they made a studio where they could work near the State
\nUniversity of Yogyakarta in the north of that city. You can paint
\nthere as a professional or take a painting course.<\/p>\n
Over time, more joined. In January 2003, 22 members showed
\ntheir work in an exhibition titled Gejolak Awal Jejak (which
\nloosely translates to A Flaming Start). The second exhibition, in
\nwhich 27 members participated, was also held at Museum Vredeburg
\nin Yogyakarta under the title Mimpi Buruk (Nightmare), in May
\n2004.<\/p>\n
The exhibitions lasted only five to seven days. The group is
\ncurrently staging an exhibition where 25 members are showing
\ntheir work this August at Hyatt Regency hotel, Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
Most of the participants have never exhibited before.<\/p>\n
Some, such as art activist Oda Teda Ena, K. Dafi and Yundhi
\nPra, are also member of Kelompok Sepi; also, there are finalists
\nfrom Indofood and Philip Morris art competitions. One of the
\nfounders has, in the meantime, found recognition.<\/p>\n
A work by Sigit Raharjo was given an award in the Indofood
\ncompetition and he can now live on his painting. He is also the
\norganizer of the ongoing exhibition. He has stayed with the group
\n-- a remarkable indication of solidarity.<\/p>\n
He studied at the SMSR (art intermediate school) in
\nYogyakarta, after which he had to work. The prize made it
\npossible for him to become a full-time painter. However, most of
\nthe other artists have had no formal training.<\/p>\n
What is there to see? Most of the works are figurative, more
\nor less realistic or close to realism: a man with his horse, a
\nwoman making jamu, traditional medicine (and, as it seems, in her
\nbest dress as well), several ladies either with flowers or a
\nbird, precisely painted shells, fish, a market scene, a
\nlandscape and an angry old man.<\/p>\n
There are some surrealist works: Kedamaian portrays a violin
\nplayed by hands and an empty face only: it could be you! Deska
\nhas produced Pelindung with the head of an eel mysteriously
\nplaced on a pole. He received an Affandi award at the Indonesian
\nArts Institute and was selected for exhibition in the Indofood
\ncompetition, both in 2003.<\/p>\n
Triandri's painting Di Batas Waktu' (On the limits of Time),
\nshows fleeting bodies in a large structure with floors on
\ncolumns. Sigit Raharjo's work also falls into this category. In
\nhis Komoditi Export he makes a reference to the numerous
\nIndonesian workers who feel compelled, through economic
\nnecessity, to seek work overseas. He does so by painting babies
\nin cartons, ready to be sealed and dispatched.<\/p>\n
Good works, incorporating Indonesian culture in a contemporary
\nsetting are Petruk Kantong Bolong and Alam Benda. Petruk is a
\nfigure in a wayang (puppet) performance, and Timur Adi Jiwanto
\nhas given him an inflated breast and a hand grenade. The still
\nlife realistically shows a container made of woven grass with an
\nethnic motive, but the surroundings are imaginary.<\/p>\n
This painting emanates a peaceful and quiet atmosphere. The
\nartist, Edy Sutarmo, learned from and exhibited with Dullah and
\nlives in Bali.<\/p>\n
Strange, but also original, is K. Dafi's (yes, he has a
\nbrother called Sadam!) Sudah Lahir (Just after Birth). Has he
\ngiven frogs human faces or humans frog's bodies? The quality of
\nthese works, as of many others, is quite high.<\/p>\n
A 17-page, limited edition, full-color catalog is available.
\nBesides reproductions of the exhibited works and some
\nintroductions, it contains portraits of the artists and limited
\nbiodata including a short exhibition history.<\/p>\n
Any curatorial comment or concept is lacking and would also be
\nhard to include given the multitude of styles. After all, this is
\nwhat working people make.<\/p>\n
Let us hope that many hotel guests will see and appreciate the
\nexhibition, then, maybe, someone might find another job
\nopportunity.<\/p>\n
Established galleries might also discover the artist of their
\nchoice.<\/p>\n
Merdeka Painting exhibition<\/p>\n
Hyatt Regency hotel<\/p>\n
Jl. Palagan Tentara Pelajar<\/p>\n
Yogyakarta,<\/p>\n
through Aug. 31<\/p>\n
tel. (0274) 7452872.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/can-part-timers-be-regarded-as-proper-artists-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }