Goat hides make jump from satay to artwork<\/p>\n
By Agus Maryono<\/p>\n
PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Kusnoto carefully uses a small
\nhammer and a sharp-pointed chisel on a piece of goat hide as he
\nskillfully shapes the edges of a wayang character. Once in awhile
\nhe wipes the sweat off his brow.<\/p>\n
Kusnoto, 29, a resident of Ketenger village, Baturraden
\nsubdistrict, Banyumas regency, is one of several artists who
\ncrafts drawings of a wayang on goat hides.<\/p>\n
\"This work requires extraordinary patience in addition to a
\ntalent in drawing wayang, and working the leather,\" said Kusnoto.<\/p>\n
Kusnoto, who buys the hides from vendors of satay (pieces of
\nmeat grilled on a skewer) for between Rp 30,000 and Rp 40,000 a
\npiece, said the skin could not be used until it was dried in the
\nsun for two consecutive days. \"But if it is cloudy, we may need
\nthree to four days,\" he said.<\/p>\n
After the hide was dried, he cleans the area on which he will
\ndraw. \"As soon as the drawing is complete, we can perforate the
\nhide,\" said Kusnoto.<\/p>\n
The handicraft can also be made on cowhide.<\/p>\n
Perforated drawings are much more complicated than simple
\npaintings. Kusnoto made his tools of all different sizes himself,
\neach from a big nail of about 0.5 cm in diameter. The tools have
\ntips that vary in sharpness or are blunt.<\/p>\n
On completion of the perforation process, the hide is tanned
\nuntil it is smooth before it is painted with watercolors, and
\nalso silk screen colors. As soon as the painting is completed,
\nthe leather is dried in the sun. He then frames his work.<\/p>\n
\"I don't think I have any difficulty in production but I do
\nhave difficulty in marketing,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"The tourism agency always encourages me to work, but I need
\nmore support, such as financial aid or an art gallery in the
\nvillage for local artists to exhibit their works.\"<\/p>\n
He usually sells his paintings for Rp 350,000 each and he
\nmakes three or four of them.<\/p>\n
\"But actually I can make eight paintings a month. It takes me
\nthree or four days to make each one,\" said Kusnoto.<\/p>\n
He said not every artist was able to make the leather
\nhandicraft. However, he added, those who can, can certainly draw
\nanything else.<\/p>\n
He said he had kept the painting hobby since he was a junior
\nhigh school student but began to make leather handicrafts in
\n1993.<\/p>\n
As an artist he finances and markets his own small business.
\nIf business is slow, he makes less handicrafts.<\/p>\n
\"Well, how can I make them if I do not have the capital to buy
\nthe goat hide and paint,\" said Kusnoto.<\/p>\n
For one painting, he spends Rp 20,000 on paint. To preserve
\nthe leather, he also needs a leather protector, which costs Rp
\n22,000 per liter and can be used on 30 hides.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/goat-hides-make-jump-from-satay-to-artwork-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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