Art explores Peru-RI link

Art explores Peru-RI link

JAKARTA (JP): The ambassador of Peru had a problem. How could
he raise money for charity, make a contribution to Indonesia's
50th anniversary and at the same time raise Indonesian's
awareness about his country?

A competition, simple. Everyone loves a competition, or so he
thought.

With the aid of the Women's International Club and the
Indonesian National Commission of UNESCO, a painting competition
was born. Theme: An exploration of cultural similarities between
Indonesia and Peru.

Amateur painters from all over Indonesia were invited to
submit work to the competition with the chance to win prizes in
the league of a round trip ticket to Peru (the Peruvian link) and
Rp 2 million.

UNESCO distributed brochures and pamphlets advertising the
competition throughout Indonesia. They waited.

A month before the submission deadline, the ambassador was
worried. Where were the hoards of paintings he was expecting?

Then they started. Paintings flooded in from 17 provinces,
filling the office. A total of 266 artworks arrived including
framed oil paintings, crayon works from four year olds and
multimedia pieces.

A jury of nine, including artist Ratmini Sudjatmoko, selected
eight finalists from which three winners will be chosen at
Tuesday night's award ceremony and auction at The World Trade
Center.

The finalists were chosen based on the extent to which they
explored the Peruvian theme.

All entries will be for auction and the money raised will go
toward helping needy children in Indonesia, coordinated by the
Women's International Club in consultation with the ambassador of
Peru.

The paintings will be exhibited in the lobby of the World
Trade Center from Dec. 11 to Dec. 15 and entry is free of charge.
Opening hours are 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (mlt)