Czabania's dolls works of art, not child's play

By Singgir Kartana

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Dolls are rarely used for artistic expression in Indonesia. A doll is generally considered a mere product of handicraft rather than a piece of artwork, a toy for children to play with.

Creative dolls can become an effective media of artistic expression, proved by Australian artist Cindy South Czabania. She is exhibiting her wooden dolls at Galeri Kedai Kebun at Tirtodipuran, Yogyakarta, until May 10.

The artist from Adelaide explores esthetics that can be expressed with dolls. She said dolls as works of arts were as popular as other art mediums in Australia, which is obvious from the eager public response whenever she holds exhibitions.

Czabania previously exhibited her works in Bali.

In the exhibit are 10 wooden dolls, 40 cm to 50 cm high, that resemble those used in wayang golek puppets in Java. They are dressed in cloth or fine-fiber gunnies and depict common people.

The dolls have been skillfully carved. The choice of color for each dress is appropriate and each piece has particular facial expressions. The carving style is simple yet suits the facial expression. A merry figure, for example, has its face carved in such a way to keep the doll cracking a smile.

Czabania, who won the 1992 open championship of creative craft and first premium Creative Craft Larimar County Fair in Colorado, the United States, is meticulous in choosing colors for each doll. One wears a kimono; another has on tight pants and a vest like a clown. The fit between the carving and the dressing techniques gives the dolls a magical look.

Czabania gained her doll-making techniques thanks to years of working on sculptures and dolls. She studied textile design and fine arts at the North Adelaide School of Art. She developed the art of clay sculpture and clothing at the Jam Factory Workshop in St. Peter, Australia.

She traveled to Java and Bali in 1997 and 1998 to advance her mastery of wood carving. Czabania pursued further study in the art of wood carving at Martin Corbin, where she developed her craftsmanship.

Czabania, whose works have been collected by the Museum of Migration in Australia, also visited countries such as Switzerland, Greece and Ghana to learn more about the arts of dolls and masks.

Galeri Kedai Kebun's initiative to hold the exhibition of the "alternative art" deserves commendation because painting has traditionally dominated the local art scene.

Dolls along with puppets are ubiquitous in Yogyakarta and available in droves at souvenir shops but, again, they are not considered "work of arts". Therefore, they are not part of art galleries.

Hopefully, the doll exhibition will inspire local artists and change their long-held notions about dolls.