Minangkabau artists showcased in 'Tradition Considered'

Minangkabau artists showcased in 'Tradition Considered'

Margaret Agusta, Contributor, Jakarta

A massive exhibition gathering the works of 111 artists of ethnic
Minangkabau origin will be on display at the National Gallery at
Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur No. 14 in Gambir, Central Jakarta, from
June 4 through June 12.

Organized under the auspices of the Jakarta-based Gebu Minang,
Sarasah Gallery in Padang, Sakato in Yogyakarta and the National
Gallery in Jakarta, the gathering reflects the West Sumatran
traditions of exploration and solidarity by bringing together
artists of Minang descent living and working in the far-flung
reaches of the archipelago in an exhibition of modern art that
spans not only distance, but time.

The works of historically important Minangkabau artists, such
as Wakidi (1890-1979), Oesman Effendi (1919-1985), Zaini (1926-
1977) and Nashar (1928-1994), will be displayed along with the
works of artists who first emerged in exhibitions in the 1960s
and 1970s, such as Risman Marah, Kasman KS, Syaiful Adnan and
Yetmon Amir.

Also on display will be works by artists of the Jendela group,
most of whom were born in the 1970s, such as Rudi Mantofani,
Yunizar, Alfi, Yusra Martunus, Handi Wirman and Irfan, and the
still younger artists of the Genta group, such as Ardison,
Saptari, Febri Antoni, Zulfa Hendra and Yon Indra, in addition to
emerging artists from the Semut and other groups.

The works to be displayed in this exhibition, with the overall
theme of Tradition Considered, were selected on the basis of not
only artistic skill and technique, but also on how well they
reflected the pivotal elements of the tendencies and exploration
of artists originating from West Sumatra within the context of
contemporary Indonesian art.

Arranged within the framework of four subthemes, the artworks
on display speak of the "Tradition of Nature in Minangkabau
Society", the "Tradition of Religion and Spirituality", the
"Tradition of Change" and the "Emerging Traditions Within the
Contemporary World".

Taken together under the umbrella of considering art in the
light of ethnic traditions, the works in this exhibition promise
to provide a solid look at the realities of the development of
modern and contemporary art within the context of ancient
Minangkabau culture.

According to the curators of the exhibition, Mamannoor and Adi
Rosa, the philosophy of nature inherent in the Minangkabau saying
"nature has grown to become our teacher" provides a basis for the
growth and development of a strong intellectual tradition in
which the reality of being is intertwined with becoming and of
that which is to be.

In this sense, tradition and change have both always been
essential elements of the pattern of life of the Minangkabau
people, in which the young are encouraged to go out in search of
knowledge and adventure and then to share that which has been
gained with those who remain in the homeland.

Although Minangkabau society is steeped in tradition, it is
highly dynamic in that it has consistently and eagerly embraced
new experience and learning.

It is within this tradition of seeking out knowledge and
experience and being adaptive to change that the artists of
Minangkabau descent explore the potential of contemporary trends
and tendencies within the international and local art
communities. They do this without losing the spiritual and
cultural compass essential to their unique perspective on the
world, with its strong roots in the natural environment and the
spirituality of Islam.

It is in this context that this exhibition of paintings,
drawings, calligraphic works and three-dimensional pieces is of
major import.

According to Minangkabau poet and cultural figure, Leon
Agusta, "A long, critical look inward is required so that we do
not delude ourselves about who we are and about our own cultural
identity. Real cultural life must be expressed and described as
it is."

He also noted that, "We must remember that such activities
require intensity and continuity in order to initiate a cultural
process that consistently takes tradition into consideration
within contemporary existence. For that reason, it is heartening
that Gebu Minang is exhibiting such a will toward becoming
involved in art activities that are based in the considerations
of cultural tradition."

In terms of contemporary art in Indonesia, tradition, from
whichever ethnic base it may originate, has the potential to
serve as a source of inspiration for commenting on and seeking a
resolution to the dilemmas of contemporary existence.

In this context, the current exhibition promises to not only
remind us all of the importance of taking our own individual
cultural roots into consideration as we struggle to stay afloat
in the midst of the tremendous change and conflict of our times,
but also to provide a look at a rich and dynamic tradition that
has embraced and utilized the winds of change over the ages.