'Indonesia Becik', an exhibition of ethnic handicrafts

'Indonesia Becik', an exhibition of ethnic handicrafts

By Agi Ginanjar and Putu Fajar Arsana

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Indonesia's natural abundance is reflected in its handicrafts. Made of wood, leather, rattan, bamboo, stone and metals, an object is more than just a functional thing because it is also an element of beauty. More than that, each object, either for daily or ceremonial use, is also a representation of the esthetic expression of the craftsperson. They also often carry magical values. The colors, motifs and signs of a piece of cloth, for example, may symbolize the cognizant and supernatural worlds, alam atas and alam bawah.

The country's various ethnic groups have blessed it with a rich variety of ethnic crafts. Each ethnic group boasts its unique handicrafts, both in forms and motifs. The decorations and motifs of an object have their own name and meaning. A handcrafted item is therefore a story in itself.

In conjunction with the AdAsia '95, the 19th Asian Advertising Congress which opens tomorrow, The Jakarta Post is holding "Indonesia Becik", an exhibition of ethnic handicrafts from a various regions in the country, including from Tana Toraja (South Sulawesi), Asmat (Irian Jaya), Dayak (Kalimantan), Sumba (East Nusa Tenggara) and Bali. The latter is highlighted by the works of Nyoman Purpa (silver), Wayan Winten (wood carving) and clay work from Pejaten, a famous ceramics center in Bali.

Purpa Silver

Ubud is notable mostly for its beautiful sceneries and paintings. However, if you come across a name card with the picture a lovely girl on it, take a close look at her nails and hair. They are silver jewelry that are uniquely Ubud in style.

Those jewelry comes from Purpa Silver, a studio on Jl. Monkey Forest, which has been operating since 1985.

"It's my wish that Ubud is famous not just because of its paintings but also because of its delicate and candid silverwork," said Nyoman Purpa, 42, who owns the studio and has been in the tourism business for decades.

Purpa was in the guide business and got into the jewelry business by selling belts.

"I noticed there were opportunities in the silverwork business, so I just grabbed it. Previously, silverwork was only produced in Celuk village," said Purpa, who received an Upakarti award from the government for his achievements in developing the art of silverwork in Ubud.

Starting with only three artisans, Purpa Silver gradually entered the U.S. and European markets. Purpa pioneered silver jewelry design in Ubud although silverwork had developed in Celuk village in the 1980s.

Purpa is not a designer in the strict sense of the word. He has artisans who transform his ideas into original silverwork.

"There are also customers who bring their own designs," said Purpa.

Purpa Silver processes around 200 kilograms of silver, valued at over Rp 200 million (US$88,888), into eye-catching accessories a day.

"Although the designs are international, I always try to leave an intricate Balinese touch in every piece," said Purpa, who is also a collector of paintings.

At least 100 tourists visit his showroom everyday.

"Most of them are young people," said Purpa.

Wayan Winten

Passengers arriving at or departing from the Ngurah Rai airport cannot miss the proud Gatotkaca statue standing on a carriage pulled by six horses.

It was crafted by Wayan Winten, 33, an artist from Banjar Teges, Peliatan, Ubud.

Interestingly, although he had formal education in Yogyakarta, Winten made the Gatotkaca statue without a model. He started by playing with his fingers to create a miniature design. Once it was ready, he made a scale of the miniature and transformed it into the statue.

But then Winten always works that way. The Pandawa Lima statue at the Grand Hyatt Jakarta, for example, or the Mamut statue in Japan and the Kala Rau in Gianyar, Bali all were produced in a similar method.

"I only rely on my sensitivities as a Balinese who has been bestowed with artistic blood which has been handed down for generations," insisted Winten, who started carving at the age of seven.

Winten learned the art of carving from his father, I Wayan Pasta, who, like him, specializes in carving animals. Among Winten's carved animal collectors are Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, daughter of President Soeharto, her sister Siti Hediati Haridjadi Prabowo and businessman Jusuf Wanandi. His works are also among the collections of the state palace and the Purna Bhakti Museum at Taman Mini Indonesia in East Jakarta.

"I favor animals because they are close to their owners. There are customers who order a statue in memory of their beloved pets," he said.

Most of Winten's works are done on johar wood. There is an explanation behind the choice. When he was studying at a center for teachers' upgrading in Yogyakarta between 1986 and 1990, he saw many Javanese using the abundant johar wood for firewood. His artistic urge led him to begin experimenting with the wood.

"They turned out well, the wood did not crack," Winten recalled.

Today he buys around eight tons of johar wood from Java.

"I was probably the one who introduced johar wood to Balinese carvers," said Winten, who employs 15 artisans.

Winten continues to teach although he has no lack of visitors interested in buying his works.

Price depends on the quality of the work. "I don't charge high prices for less-than-good works," he said.

Previously a roof tile producing center, Pejaten is now famous for its ceramic, thanks to the support from the village head, Tantri.

It was Tantri who encouraged his villagers to improve their skills by sending them for training at ceramic factories in Malang and Bandung, said Wayan Kertha, one of the lucky few who was sent to Java.

In the past, everybody was making rooftiles there was once a glut in the market, said Kertha.

Today the villagers are grouped in an organization called Kelompok Keramik Pejaten, the Pejaten ceramic group, of which Kertha is a supervisor. The 50 members produce small green and blued glaze souvenirs like water jugs, saucers and ashtrays in attractive shapes decorated with lovely animal and leaf motifs. Frogs, snakes and monkey are among the favorite animal motifs.

The products have slowly penetrated the Bali market. Although they still have to improve their skills and marketing strategy, the Pejaten ceramists have succeeded in making their small village famous, at least to visitors of Bali.

It is understandable that the Pejaten ceramists are excited at having their works displayed at the exhibition which is held at the Exhibition Hall of the Nusa Indah Convention Center, Nusa Dua. It will give them the opportunity to expose their works to a wider audience. The exhibition runs from Nov. 6 to Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will also be highlighted by demonstrations in cloth weaving, silver jewelry and ceramic making.