It's a woman's world in Yaqub Elka's artwork

By Pavan Kapoor

JAKARTA (JP): Call it an obsession with the female of the species or a brazen appraisal of the charismatic existence of woman that surpasses that of her male counterpart -- Yaqub Elka. The 28-year-old painter is letting his paintings do the talking for him at The Japan Foundation until Dec. 23.

The exhibition entitled Warna Kehidupan Perempuan Kosmo (Colors of the Cosmopolitan Woman) has all of its 30 to 35 paintings centralized around the theme of the woman of today. It was Yaqub's wish too tell the story of the cosmopolitan woman who has moved through a vast Savannah of changes and sees herself today as not only the creator of the world but also the nurturer and harmonizer of the universe.

The word Warna (color) in Yaqub's title of the exhibition represents his sentiments on two tiers. Primarily color represents the varied moods and emotions of the woman - her diverse roles of existentialism as mother, bread earner, wife, child and lover in the cosmic and actual world.

On the secondary plane color stands for the use of vibrant and pungent colors that Yaqub fills his canvases with - from end to end the use of flat color minimizes toning and shading diminishing the realistic approach and concentrating on the contemporary theme.

Unlike some artists who strive to create an individual style that they would like to be known for, Yaqub's ambitions are suffused with trying to imitate his idol, Pablo Picasso. Large figures staring out oblivious to the merging of the reality of life into an abstract and conceptual maze - bold black outlines accompanied with simplistic images of decorative art seem to guide the paint brush of Yaqub Elka.

However, what creates an individual frame in the gallery of artists for Yaqub Elka is the fact that he is not only an artist but also a writer and has written several articles on art for news media such as Berita Yudha, Jayakarta, Swadesi and Bisnis Indonesia.

"The artistic part of my mind was sleeping and in a dormant state in the period from 1993 to 1997, although I did manage to hold various exhibitions. My creativity oozed out of me in the form of writings and articles about art."

Perhaps enamored with the dynamic changes in the life of a few women acquaintances, Yaqub was inspired to begin portraying the various aspects of this enigmatic subject.

"This period of awareness of women started in 1997 and inspired this exhibition," he says.

Commenting on the painting entitled Sandiwara Perempuan (Women on the Stage), an oil on canvas work of art, which was created in early 1998, Yaqub explains, "This painting is a means to reflect the unique charisma of the modern woman in her everyday existence. Simplistic female figures fused with slight abstract figures portray her emotions, her femininity that reigns supreme in a supposedly male dominated atmosphere."

The background is painted in flat tones of azure blue and turquoise, while the figures stand out in reds, oranges and muted brown. In the center between the two figures is a long stemmed wine glass which might be interpreted as a symbol for the new attitudes of the modern women towards alcohol.

A frugal approach to technique and design has the focus on the wide-eyed women staring out from a colorful harmoniously blended landscape.

Kabar Gembira (Happy News' 40x60 cm) displays two trouser-clad figures with one holding a letter as the centralized figures. There is the addition of an unfamiliar animal on one side and a blue sunflower with a yellow center on the other.

"This painting represents the mood of pristine happiness upon receiving a letter from offspring. The presence of flower and animal attributes towards the complexity of life's fundamental emotions. Just as the sunflower opens its beauty towards the sun, so the hearts of the woman in the role of mother blossom with joy upon receiving news from her child."

The acrylic pigments of the 40 x 60-cm painting are vibrant and energetic and while the figures, line drawings and color combinations might speak of a novice approach, the message of the theme of Yaqub Elka does not fail to emanate distinctly.

Another acrylic painting, Sepasang Kekasih (A Pair of Lovers) snatches the onlooker's glance and guides it into the world where the woman plays a lover and a friend to her mate.

"I tried to display the deep understanding, the sweetness of a fresh love and the lulling of a harmonious unison of man and woman," explains Yaqub. Decorative figures and a congenial blending of hues are what interests Yaqub who has exploited this actively in most of his works.

A constant feature in almost all the figures is the muted shade of mustard in all faces and the stark white eyes piercing right through the eye of her onlooker. The deep colorings of the whole canvas contrast sharply with the white of the eyes and seem to instantly engage the eye of the viewer as intended by Yaqub who aims at portraying the emotional web that a woman spins while ignoring attempts at making his artwork realistic.

A fan of the great legend Picasso might find it worth it to take a peek and get a glimpse of him in some of the artworks on display. The exhibition is on from Dec. 10 through Dec. 23 at the Galeri Mini, Pusat Kebudayaan Jepang at Summitmas I on Jl. Sudirman. Monday to Friday it is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.