Artists contrast widely at exhibition

By Emma Cameron

JAKARTA (JP): The exhibition "A German and Indonesian Expression" is a testimony to the blind power of chance to create new and innovative art.

The decision of artists Anke Malmvall from Germany and Yoes Rizal from Indonesia to exhibit together was purely coincidental. Anke came to Indonesia simply because of a work opportunity for her husband but the move meant she had the time to paint the landscapes of her new home. This is the first time that German and Indonesian artists have exhibited together.

Anke spent three and a half months in Bali where she took in the different styles of painting in the region. She said "I cannot say there are big differences (between the two culture's painting styles)", although she did feel that Balinese works had more colors and moods".

However, it is the contrasts between the two artists and their works that makes the exhibition such a unique experience. At the opening on Tuesday, Dr. Thomas Prinz, First Secretary and Head of the Cultural Department at the German Embassy, urged visitors to compare the works, saying "we see more than we would see if at a solo exhibition".

Yoes and Anke alternatively come from a bustling city (Jakarta) and a small town (Weimar), are male and female, paint figures and landscapes, use oil and watercolor and prefer big and small canvasses. When hung in the same gallery, the differences in their work becomes stark.

Dr. Prinz also urged the viewer to look deeper and see the similarities - both Anke and Yoes are professional artists who have studied art at a tertiary level (Anke at the Academy of Art in Berlin and the Assenza School of Art in Switzerland and Yoes at the Bandung Institute of Technology). They are also of the same generation with several exhibitions already behind them. Both artists also operate from a level of abstraction - their subjects can be recognized but they are not simply travel illustrations (in the case of Anke) or portraits (in the case of Yoes). When painting, both artists also work from an unconscious rather than a deliberate state of mind.

Yoes, with his paintings of the human figure, no longer uses models for his works. "I used to, but not now. Maybe I will change," he said. For Yoes, painting is a learning experience that finds him constantly evolving, "style is not the point. Artists always change to find something new." He sees his figures as sexless and is fascinated by the curves of the human form rather than the rigidity of trees and houses.

Yoes exclusively used oil on canvas in this exhibition with many paintings measuring 140 centimeters by 90 centimeters. The large size of the works helps to convey the universality of the themes presented, such as the painting Needs of achievement which portrays two figures, one crouching with the head bowed in folded arms, the other upright looking at the sun above.

The words "light and darkness" are inscribed in the painting. However Yoes is eager not to have his paintings defined by their themes, calling themes just a "starting point". He has no desire to tell a story but rather to allow the viewer to bring their own interpretation to the works.

In contrast to Yoe's fluidity, Anke's work are minimal and make use bold brush strokes and blocky, angular shapes. She said "It is of course abstract, I try to reduce with few lines the characteristics of landscapes."

Anke used various mediums to paint her works, from eggtempura on canvas to acrylic and oil pastel to mixed media on cardboard. For Anke, her work must be created with the appropriate materials and techniques, choosing these is a very important part of her creative process.

Her works are largely inspired by Bali although a short visit to Italy did result in one painting in the collection. The relative small size of Anke's paintings expresses her desire to internalize and spiritualize her subjects. Anke is influenced by Chinese Tusche painting which concentrates on the essentials and expresses with just a few brush strokes.

Even Anke's use of color is minimalist with blacks, browns and creams the predominant colors. Anke explained the lack of color in her Bali landscapes as an attempt to cope with the vibrancy that she witnessed. Anke's paintings are not only a source of energy for her but an attempt to create balance.

This exhibition is not only a study of contrasts and painting styles but also an attempt to build bridges in multicultural Indonesia.

"A German and Indonesian Expression" is showing at the Galeri Milenium, on Jl. Fatmawati, South Jakarta, from Nov. 17 to Dec. 8.