Jakarta to host painting exhibition

Jakarta to host painting exhibition

JAKARTA (JP): A painting exhibition featuring the works of internationally renowned artists from 13 countries will take place at the Mercantile Club of the BCA Building, Central Jakarta, from April 21 to 30.

Among the 20 local painters whose works will be on display are Affandi, Antonio Blanco, Arie Smit, and Soedjojono, while the foreigners include Andre Lhote, F. Brochet, Emilio Ambron, Sashal, Le Mayeur and Rudolf Schmidt.

Minister of Social Services Endang Kusuma Inten Soeweno is scheduled to open the exhibition, which is being organized by the Jais Hadiana Dargawidjaja Collection and the Society for the Care of Disabled Children (YPAC).

The exhibition is one of the fund raising programs for the organization of the 10th Asia and Pacific Regional Conference of Rehabilitation International in Jakarta on Sept. 13-16.

"Between 20 and 30 percent of the money collected during the exhibition will go to YPAC," Jais said.

There will be 52 paintings on display with price tags ranging from US$1,250 to $60,000.

YPAC chairperson MC Witono said the committee will need about Rp 2 billion to organize the conference.

She said that YPAC will also hold a seminar on April 27 to improve the public's awareness of people with disabilities.

The fact that there are no access ways for disabled people in office buildings, hotels as well as other public facilities shows that the government and the public alike do not care about them, Witono said.

The seminar is expected to push developers and the government to pay more attention to the matter, she added.

Seminar speakers will include officials from the ministries of public works and home affairs as well as the chairman of the Indonesian Architects Association, Adhi Mursid. (sim)