Artists contrast widely at exhibition

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.