Painters try to break free from the past<\/p>\n
By Aendra H. Medita<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): It's hard to step out of the shadow of
\ntradition, especially when it brings with it the imposing
\nartistic renown of Bali.<\/p>\n
Legendary Balinese exoticism still figures heavily in a joint
\nexhibition in Jakarta of works of Balinese women painters, but
\nsome of the participants have broken free from the past.<\/p>\n
Displaying the works of 10 artists, the exhibition clearly
\nshows the strength of Balinese art is to be found among both men
\nand women artists, although the latter must undergo a long
\nprocess to gain recognition in the major discourse of Indonesian
\nart.<\/p>\n
Nature in all its splendor and everyday life on the \"island of
\nthe gods\", the traditional subjects of Balinese painters, still
\nconstitute an inherent strength in the works. These subjects seem
\nto be an inexhaustible source for Balinese painters in finding
\ninspiration, and something they have intensely cultivated over
\nthe years.<\/p>\n
The paintings in the exhibition show great diversity in forms
\nand themes. The artists have attempted not only to feature the
\nstrength of Bali, but also bridge the tradition in Balinese
\npaintings and the present phenomenon in painting which is close
\nto the Balinese modern painting style.<\/p>\n
Some painters have shown even greater boldness in their
\nattempt to adopt a contemporary style while still keeping the
\nBalinese touch as polish. Their works tend to rebel against or
\neven deconstruct the tradition of Balinese paintings.<\/p>\n
Take, for example, I Said That's Forbidden by Gusti Murni
\nAsih, who once studied drawing under the late Mokoh. The Balinese
\nworld is remote in this work as it is imbued with the strength
\nshe expressively pours forth in a very nonverbal manner. The work
\ndisplays her wandering mind, swelling with its own power and, at
\ntimes, verging on surrealism. Her work is testament to this
\nquality.<\/p>\n
Ni Suci Indri's works are also worth observing. Established
\nbeyond the context of Bali but rich with local tradition, her
\nwork, Traveler, depicting a journey, offers a form breaking loose
\nfrom the uniformity of the Balinese style.<\/p>\n
Another painter, Ni Made Kurnia Andika, can also be seen as a
\nnew step to \"avoid\" uniformity in \"Bali-mindedness\". However,
\nAndika's imagination differs from both Murni and Suci; it is
\nclear she blends her world with the visual reality of the present
\ntime. Examples of this are Purple Clothes, Girls and Together.<\/p>\n
Special mention must be made of Ni Made Sudarwi, whose Honey
\nMoon is also displayed in the exhibition. She offers another form
\nin the context of Balinese women artists; her strength is
\nreflected as the outcome of the wandering in her subconscious
\nmind. This painting, which depicts a honeymoon, is likened to a
\nsupernatural and surrealist world with the monochrome of color,
\naltogether a completely new style for a Balinese woman painter.<\/p>\n
Other works clearly show a step forward in that they
\ndistinctly reflect an attempt to break free of the uniformity in
\nthe Balinese context, in which objects tend to be regarded as a
\nmere routine in the sphere of \"exoticism\".<\/p>\n
There are still some works which are faithful to the
\nconventional strength in painting. Ni Putu Ani's Going Home,
\nwhile not explicitly displaying the Balinese aura, clearly
\ndepicts the strength of a Balinese reality in which the panorama
\nof Bali is acutely captured, complete with its beauty.<\/p>\n
Works by Ni Made Sariasih and Diani A. Sinung, inspired by the
\nlegong dance, very clearly show the strong charm of Bali.<\/p>\n
The world of the shadow puppet play and mythology inspiring
\nthe world of legends can also be found in works of several
\nartists, including Ni Wayan Rotiani (Rama and Sita), Ni Made
\nSuciani (Goddess of Durga) and Ni Nyoman Supini (Rajapala).<\/p>\n
Even the old style of unique brushing and plasticity appears
\nin some of the works, along with an entirely modern style
\nfeaturing the themes of dancers, everyday Balinese life in terms
\nof rites and atmosphere, in various dimensions.<\/p>\n
Until now only a handful of Balinese women painters have
\nbecome outstanding artists. Who knows, the ongoing exhibition may
\nbe a breakthrough for Balinese women painters. Of course, there
\nis no hurry because the process is far more important than the
\ngoal. After all, isn't this the essence of being committed to
\nart?<\/p>\n
The exhibition of works by Balinese women artists is at Cipta
\nGallery, Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center (TIM) in Central
\nJakarta until Jan. 15.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/painters-try-to-break-free-from-the-past-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}