From abstract to figurative, painter reveals new identity
From abstract to figurative, painter reveals new identity
Yusuf Susilo Hartono, Contributor, Jakarta
Unlike his father who was part of the early crop of painters bringing the realist-naturalist style to the country's fine art world, Sudaryono is a loyalist of the abstract genre.
His father, Sudarso, was a pure realist-naturalist painter who had close ties to maestros like Affandi, Hendra Gunawan, Barli and Wahdi, They even formed the exclusive Indonesia Lima (Indonesia Five) group in Bandung in 1935.
Hence, any attempt to make parallels between the creative journeys of this father and son pair will provide proof positive that the "like father like son" adage does not always hold true.
Sudar, as Sudaryono is affectionately called, who was long known for communicating his expression through non-figurative abstract strokes, has been challenged by his own restlessness to leave this niche behind. In the past two years, he has started to include figurative images in his works, a daring departure from his previous work.
In his latest exhibition, Wayang Perempuan (Female Shadow Play) Sudar showcases his new identity, abstract figurative as he plays around with female figurines drawn in the style of characters from the wayang kulit (shadow plays).
Over two years, Sudar has produced 25 paintings consisting of 23 figurative abstract works, two non-figurative abstract works, a wooden sculpture, and a three-dimensional sculpture -- all of them about women.
These works are currently on show at D Gallery in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. The solo exhibition was opened on May 20 by art connoisseur Pia Alisjahbana, who is a local press icon and prominent cultural activist.
In portraying the female figures, Sudar leaves behind the conventional format of female characters in wayang kulit. Art critic from Bali Dr. Jean Couteau categorized what Sudar has done as emerging from the existing iconography; which enables the public to identify his character.
Although he has emerged from the iconographic patterns of the shadow play, urbanites who are in touch with either Javanese or Sundanese traditional shadow plays will still sense the presence of Sudar's shadow puppetry; at the very least from the way he positions the gestures of his figures or, particularly, through the language conveyed through the shapes and the positions of the fingers of each figure.
For example, Sudar imparts the idea of rejection and submission with crossed arms (ngapurancang in Javanese) and hands on the hips respectively.
For Jakartans who originally hail from West Java, Central Java or Yogyakarta, or have ever lived in any of these three provinces, wayang kulit will be familiar to them. Besides, Jakartans have had more opportunities over the last few years to watch wayang kulit with the airing of shadow plays on a number of TV stations. Shadow plays are also available in VCD or DVD format at affordable prices.
Back to Sudar's works. The subjects of the works on display in this exhibition are dominated by black lines. These lines form the body contours and color compositions used mostly to create the colorful outfits of the figures. Sudar uses homogeneous colors to provide the backgrounds to his paintings to highlight the figures.
The monochrome backgrounds can be easily compared with the white backdrop of the shadow plays, which is meant to portray the Universe. It becomes a tad monotonous, however, when it is used on a 140 cm x 170 cm painting with single subject. While the figure's bodies are stylized, Sudar makes the faces of the figures real. Even without this, however, Sudar already makes his figures speak through their bodies, hands and fingers.
Looking back at his previous works and the current transformation in his style, a question emerges: what will his work be like in the future? Will he stay true to his female shadow play characters? Perhaps not. Sudar confided to Ulfa Waworuntu, the manager of D Gallery, that he wasn't sure if he could paint these kinds of paintings anymore.
Perempuan Wayang, solo exhibition of paintings by Sudaryono, runs until June 6, 2005, at D Gallery, Jl. Barito I No 3, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.