'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.