Commercialism or creativity in art?
Commercialism or creativity in art?
Kartika Bagus C., The Jakarta Post, Surakarta, Central Java
Surakarta formerly served as the administrative center of the
ancient Mataram Kingdom. In more recent times, the city has
become more famous as a city of Javanese culture and a home to
many artists.
Nowadays, Surakarta has a Pujasari painting community which is
quite well-known, not only among the locals, but also among
foreigners.
Pujasari is an art market located in the one-hectare Pujasari
Restaurant Complex in Sriwedari on Jl. Slamet Riyadi. The
restaurant is situated at the front and right part of the area,
while in the middle of the compound there are 30 art galleries.
Unfortunately, only 10 of them have survived.
It is sad to see that the Pujasari painting community has
failed to flourish as some artists and art critics label it a
producer of cheap and commercialized paintings.
One of the senior artists in Pujasari, Luluk Soemitro, 62,
acknowledges that many of his colleagues are trapped in a cycle
of commercialization because they need money. Instead of
developing creativity, many artists produce items just to fulfill
the market demand.
As for Soemitro, he has chosen a middle ground. He still
maintains his creative idealism in some of his pieces but he also
follows the latest trend in others when he takes orders from
customers.
"A painter needs idealism, but also needs money," said the
owner of Warung Seni art gallery.
An art critic and teacher at the state-run Sebelas Maret
University in Surakarta, Narsen Afatara, said that the Pujasari
painting community should be able to survive on the local level
because their work is appreciated by the people.
"In general, their paintings have a place in the heart of the
people and are well-appreciated because, so far, the people still
like those kinds of realist and expressionist paintings, as well
as the abstract ones," he said.
When asked about appreciation on a national level, Narsen,
questioned the definition of a "national" painter.
"Is it someone appreciated by the people nationwide because of
his work or just his popularity?"
"If the emphasis is on the appreciation of his art, then the
Pujasari artists are quite successful. They can survive
domestically and deserve two thumbs up," said Narsen.
He added that many foreigners also bought the paintings,
further proof that the paintings were popular enough.
Despite the fact that some frown upon their art, the Pujasari
artists still have loyal customers. Some even purchase large
quantities for resale.
The paintings have large price range, from hundreds of
thousands rupiah up to Rp 20 million (US$2,353).
Those in demand most have a traditional touch. Foreigners are
particularly interested in the paintings of traditional markets,
Surakarta Palace and the activities of common people.
The Pujasari art center enjoys its peak season during the Idul
Fitri holidays, when many Surakartans, who now reside outside the
city, return home and buy paintings. They usually like colorful
paintings, such as tropical fish, roses, village panoramas and
fruit.
Last year, the Pujasari painting community officially
established a new organization called the Association of
Surakarta Painters (HPS). It currently has 125 members. While the
senior ones are mostly naturalists and realists, the younger ones
are more interested in modern and contemporary arts.
Chairman of the association, Sulistyo Hadinagoro, said that he
wanted to improve the image of the Pujasari painting community
and improve the professionalism of its members by organizing
national painting exhibitions and staging monthly training
seminars.
"We want to improve our image, not just as people who paint,
but as artists. And it takes time," said the painter, who has
received an award from the Surakarta Palace and another from the
Indonesian Parenthood Association in conjunction with UNICEF.