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)