'Tracking Cloth' a success<\/p>\n
I am writing to publicly thank the many people who made the
\nJune to September 2002 \"Tracking Cloth\" exhibition a great
\nsuccess. This wonderfully creative exhibition of textile and
\nfiber art, which toured the Indonesian cities of Denpasar,
\nYogyakarta and Jakarta, was the culmination of three years work
\nby the Wollongong Gallery.<\/p>\n
The exhibition demonstrated that Australian artists have been
\npositively influenced by their experiences with Indonesia.
\nSymbolically this illustrated to a wide audience that Australians
\nrespect the Indonesian people -- a message that was very well
\naccepted at all levels, including the political elite and the
\npress (including generous coverage by The Jakarta Post).<\/p>\n
In fact, in an extraordinary expression of warmth, Indonesian
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri stated that \"the exhibition had
\ncreated a symbol of goodwill between our two neighboring
\nnations\". This goodwill was also reflected in the caliber of
\nexhibition patrons, which included the governor of Bali, Dewa
\nBeratha, the Crown Princess of Yogyakarta, Sri Gusti Pembayun,
\nand in Jakarta former trade minister and Indonesian Ambassador to
\nSingapore, Gen. (ret) Luhut Panjaitan.<\/p>\n
Within Indonesia the exhibition was interpreted as a
\nsophisticated means of bringing very different people together.
\nMajor articles appeared in Indonesian's largest daily newspapers
\ndiscussing not only the cultural merits of the works, but perhaps
\nmore importantly, the new language of mutual respect these works
\nconveyed.<\/p>\n
Most journalists commented that \"Tracking Cloth\" was a way of
\nfinding social and cultural similarities, rather than just
\nconcentrating on and illuminating differences and disagreements.
\nIn contrast to the differences that have so often defined the
\nIndonesia-Australia relationship, the exhibition created a safe
\nspace in which issues could be raised. It was a starting point.
\nAnd from these relationships of trust and understanding local
\nopportunities in education, business and diplomacy are already
\nflowing.<\/p>\n
ROB GOODFELLOW, Wollonging University, NSW, Australia<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tracking-cloth-a-success-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }