By Sudibyo M. Wiradji -10pts Metrolight l/c

By Sudibyo M. Wiradji -10pts Metrolight l/c

MAGELANG, Central Java (JP): Two kilometers from the famous
Borobudur Temple stands a newly established private fine arts
museum representing works of modern artists.

The museum, opened recently by Minister of Education and
Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro, was established by Haj Widayat, one
of Indonesia's most distinguished painters, who has been
critically acclaimed for his treatment of flora and fauna.

Called the H. Widayat Museum, this new art facility, situated
in Mungkid, will be the seventh of its kind established by an
individual artist. Others include the Affandi Museum in
Yogyakarta and the Sutedja Neka Museum in Ubud, Bali.

One large room of the white, two-story building displays some
of Widayat's impressive works, including Masks, King Solomon and
The Animals, Faces of Affandi, Sakura Flower and Queen of the
Jungle.

"He has a way of grouping his objects together that seems to
run against the norms of composition and which gives rise to
strange visual movement," Agus Dermawan T., an art critic, said
in a book entitled "Greng," the Expression of Paintings of
Widayat, which accompanied the official opening.

On the second floor is a collection of paintings, graphics and
drawings by different artists. The works on display were selected
by a team of curators made up of the late But Mochtar, the late
Oei Hong Djien, Koesnadi and Fadjar Sidik.

Numerous antique ceramics, wood carvings and statues
supplement each room, providing additional comfort to the
interior and exterior of the museum.

Obsession

Reflecting Widayat's obsession with developing modern
Indonesian fine arts and promoting young painters, the museum not
only houses dozens of selected pieces he created during his
career, but also those of students of the ASRI Indonesian Arts
Academy.

These works by students are among the 200 which Widayat has
collected since 1962.

"Their best works should not be thrown away," said Widayat,
who is also a dedicated art instructor.

Works by other noted painters from Widayat's generation, such
as Fadjar Sidik, Bagong Kussudiardjo, Abdullah, Rusli and
Sudarso, are also found at the museum. Subroto SM, Aming
Prayitno, Sudarisman and Suwaji, are just a few of the young
artists with works on display.

The museum is expected to serve as a barometer for the
development of fine arts in Indonesia, Widayat said.

"It will also provide a comparative study for those who are
learning about fine arts," he added.

Statue park

The Rp 600 million museum (US$279,069), erected on a 5,000-
square-meter plot, will house a statue park behind the main
building. Presently under construction, this park -- called Taman
Patung -- will display Widayat's collection of outdoor statues as
well as works of other artists.

Within the museum complex, a two-story house is also being
constructed to accommodate visiting art enthusiasts.

Widayat, 75, is said to be a perfectionist who is not easily
satisfied with his accomplishments. His future projects -- part
of his master plan for the museum -- include building
supplementary facilities such as a library, a meeting room, an
audiovisual room and an exhibition room where collections of
statues, graphics and acrylic arts would be displayed
permanently.

Challenges

Widayat decided to build the museum following his two-year
stay in Japan in 1962, where he studied ceramic, exterior
landscaping and ikebana, the Japanese art of arranging flowers.

But his dream did not readily materialize. His greatest
challenge was finding a suitable site.

He was compelled to cancel the construction plans several
times before he eventually found the current site in Mungkid.

One such difficulty occurred with a piece of land he had
acquired for the project in the Sleman regency, Yogyakarta. After
he had designed the museum for the plot, the project team had dug
the site for construction (at Rp 6 million) and the contractor
had started accumulating building materials, he received an
unfavorable letter containing absurd demands from area residents.

The demands, including the construction of a tunnel to herd
their buffalo through and compensation for the shadows cast over
their crops by the building, forced Widayat to relocate,
realizing the museum would not be welcomed by the farmers.

Now that his dream is realized, Widayat may have to overcome
other problems. It is no secret that Indonesian museums face
tremendous difficulties. Several museums are in poor condition
due either to lack of maintenance funds or poor management. It is
feared that the Haj Widayat Museum will suffer a similar fate.

"We have prepared for everything. We have what is called an
endless fund in the form of a bank deposit. I don't know how much
it is. It is not my business. It is my wife's concern," Widayat
said.

"Certainly, we are always trying to collect more funds. I am
optimistic. Above all, I hope to succeed with every exhibition,"
Widayat said.

Concerning his paintings in the museum, he said that all of
his works have been registered with a notary public.

"No one is allowed to sell any of the paintings inside the
museum," he stressed.

Each of his 11 children have received between four to six
pieces, which are priced at approximately Rp 50 million
($24,500), Widayat said.

"Based on bad experiences (of other artists), it seems Widayat
had professionally prepared the management long before the museum
was established," said painter Bagong Kussudiardjo, one of the
artists gathered at the museum during the opening ceremony.

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