Widayanto pays homage to love of mother and child<\/p>\n
By Mulkan Salmona<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): It was a bright Sunday morning for a visit to
\nthe unique and shady studio of a noted ceramics artist in
\nCiganjur, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
F. Widayanto invited a number of journalists and art lovers to
\nview final preparations for his exhibition at the National
\nGallery from June 6 through June 16.<\/p>\n
Ibu dan Anak (Mother and Child) will showcase his most recent
\nworks after a two-year hiatus in exhibitions. The artist, known
\nas Yanto, held his last exhibition in 1998 at Plaza Senayan.<\/p>\n
He considers the theme to be poignant and universal. Through
\nhis ceramic artwork, Yanto explores the genuine maternal feelings
\nand love which enrich the life of children in the world. The
\ntheme is also the artist's reflection of his own love for his
\nmother in particular and Mother Nature in general.<\/p>\n
\"I will display 32 distinguished ceramic pieces in the form
\nof mothers and their babies and toddlers,\" Yanto said as he
\nshowed parts of his collection.<\/p>\n
About 17 of the displayed items, priced at between Rp 25
\nmillion and Rp 50 million, have been sold to local art
\ncollectors. \"I need a lot of money to prepare for the next
\nexhibition,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The idea to use the theme Ibu dan Anak was derived from a
\nceramic work entitled Golekan, Clay Doll, depicting a mother who
\nbreastfeed her infant.<\/p>\n
Born in Jakarta in 1953, Yanto graduated from the School of
\nArt and Design at the prestigious Bandung Institute of Technology
\n(ITB) in West Java in 1980.<\/p>\n
It was his inability to find a regular job which led to him
\nplunging into the world of ceramics, considered an uninspiring
\nfield by many artists. In 1990 he held his debut exhibition Loro
\nBlonyo, the stepping stone to his successful career.<\/p>\n
Following exhibitions such as Ganesha Ganeshi and Ukelan also
\nbolstered his reputation.<\/p>\n
His main subjects center on Javanese women, creatures from
\nmiscellaneous Javanese mythology and daily life.<\/p>\n
In l991, Yanto established a company and an art studio in
\nTapos, Bogor.<\/p>\n
Ceramics expert Hildawati Soemantri, Yanto's senior at ITB,
\npraised Yanto's art for its originality.<\/p>\n
\"An artist can draw generously and freely with inspiration
\nfrom various sources,\" Hildawati once wrote.<\/p>\n
Yanto's work stands out because of his extensive knowledge of
\nthe basic materials which he buys, processes, adorns and fires
\nhimself.<\/p>\n
Hildawati added an artist can be influenced by so many factors
\nwhen molding his material. He may be influenced by the
\nenvironment, the artist's ideas or from extensive experience in
\nworking with clay.<\/p>\n
In the coming exhibition, Yanto also will display his advanced
\nceramic-processing technique of combining ceramics, bronze and
\nother materials.<\/p>\n
He searched for ideas in Javanese fairy tales, mythology and
\nthe Ramayana epic.<\/p>\n
Mother-and-child relations are shown in diverse forms. Timung
\nRewel (Restless Timung) Yanto is of a crying child. Cah Menthil
\n(Nipping Baby) depicts a mermaid breastfeeding her baby.<\/p>\n
Ambung-Ambungan (Kissing and Hugging) illustrates a mother's
\nfirst lesson of love and affection for her baby. Katresnane si
\nMbok (Mother's Love) is of a mother enjoying time with her child.<\/p>\n
Yen Sumuk, On a Hot Day, portrays a loving mother, a typical
\nJavanese rural mother, takes a fresh air by undressing her
\ndress's buttons.<\/p>\n
Almost all of Yanto's mother figures are nude. Some are
\nsensual, but others are weird-looking, fat or funny.<\/p>\n
Yanto also uses symbolic forms, such as mermaids and deer.<\/p>\n
His newest ceramic works are intriguing in trying to
\nunderstand more of the ideas behind his creations.<\/p>",
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