Artistic siblings turn eye on human nature

Artistic siblings turn eye on human nature

Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Graphic art is a relatively new, lesser known tradition compared
to the genre of painting in this country.

Interestingly, the pioneers of the development of graphic art
were painters, sculptors and other artists who discovered
printing as another means to express themselves.

"The development of graphic arts here is not very good. Many
people still don't find it interesting, or understand it," said
Yogyakarta-based graphic artist M. Khaeruddin.

A graduate of the Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI), the 35-
year-old said that only a couple of members of a graduating class
continue in the field.

"Other people mostly works in the advertising field, or make
book covers," Khaeruddin said. "That includes me."

Part of the problem is sourcing the equipment, such as that
needed for lithographs.

"Only when I received an invitation for a workshop could I
make a lithograph," said Khaeruddin, a semifinalist in the
Indonesian Arts Awards 2000.

Despite the limitations of a lack of recognition and equipment
problems, he has not abandoned his field. Some of his works and
those of his brother, A. Rahman Saleh, are now on show at the
British Council here until June 30.

Titled Fragmen Imajinasi (Imagination Fragments), the
exhibition showcases the siblings' contemplation of the crises
affecting the country.

In the pamphlet for the exhibition, the brothers (Rahman did
not attend the opening) said that the works were the result of
their restlessness to find the values of humanity.

They are explored in absurd symbols or distortion of form,
which, they said, expressed a rebellion against rigid cultures
and behavior.

Khaeruddin uses the techniques of drawing, woodcuts, etching
and silk screen, most produced in dark, gloomy colors.

Of all the symbols and distorted forms, he exploits eyes the
most "because eyes don't lie". The eye, in diverse forms and
variations, are featured throughout the exhibition.

"But the whole theme is fragmented, so it's not the same (for
each work). It's just aimed at showing our restlessness and
feeling disturbed," Khaeruddin said.

The works also reflects an innocence lost through Khaeruddin's
longing for his childhood.

One of the works are Ndongeng (Telling Story), an image with a
child-like style, where people and animals are forming a circle.

"I really miss the storytelling tradition which now seems to
have disappeared. While the stories told have good moral lessons.
Kids today watch too much TV and play computer games," he said.

"They don't know traditional games anymore, like jelangkung
for instance."

Fragmen Imajinasi graphic art exhibition, until June 30;
Exhibition room British Council, S. Widjojo Center 1st Fl., Jl.
Jend. Sudirman No. 71; Tel. (021) 2524115;
www.britishcouncil.or.id