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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