Saptohoedojo, his paintings, his life and his love

By Liza Kappelle

JAKARTA (JP): One of Indonesia's best-known and most controversial artists, Saptohoedojo, is currently exhibiting his work for the first time in Jakarta.

Sapto -- equally famous for his art, his life, and his second wife, Yani -- has previously exhibited his work worldwide as well as in Yani's Gallery in their hometown of Yogyakarta.

The current exhibition at Bentara Budaya Jakarta will run until Aug. 14 and comprises some 65 pieces dating from 1958 to 1993.

At first impression, the exhibition displays an astonishing variety of styles and media. But closer inspection reveals a greater cohesion to the whole.

Hardi, another prominent Indonesian painter, sums up this collection of Sapto's paintings.

"At the heart of Saptohoedojo's work is Indonesian folk art, which is manifested in a modern style. Sapto was initially a very realistic painter, but he has studied widely and explored different forms of expression. He is the first Indonesian artist to transform traditional art into modern art," he said.

Sapto and his wife have traveled extensively and his work reflects his engagement as an Indonesian artist with other cultures and artistic genres.

It is obvious from this collection that Sapto enjoys exploring and using different mediums of expression.

Two Women melds stylized Egyptian painting with the curvaceous Javanese script, which features regularly in Sapto's work.

Portraits hang near a collage of airplane engine parts, not far from the dramatically sci-fi Nightmare.

Prices for Sapto's works at the exhibition range from Rp 40 million to Rp 250 million (around US$17,000 to $51,000).

Prior to the opening last Wednesday night, four paintings had already been sold, including Sekaten, for a reported Rp 120 million.

Sapto is an artist in the traditional sense of the word; a man who seeks to find and display the beauty in everything, according to Yani.

"Sapto's work is his autobiography. We are always traveling; everywhere we've gone, he would find inspiration in new styles, new cultures and new places," she said.

Sapto's passion for expression has not been confined to the studio or gallery. He has ventured into the world of batik design as well as interior decoration.

His last commission was at the museum in Malang, East Java.

Sapto's art, however, is only one part of his autobiography. His fame is equally derived from the public interest in his high- profile life.

Formerly married to Kartika, daughter of the late famous painter Effendi, Sapto has long been a prominent member of Indonesia's artistic community.

The tale of his second marriage 25 years ago to Yani -- nearly 30 years his junior -- bears all the hallmarks of the traditional fairy tale.

Reportedly meeting the beautiful Yani by chance, Sapto asked her to marry him at their first encounter.

She accepted.

"It has been romantic," she agrees.

Yani has also had her share of personal success.

She owns their gallery in Yogyakarta -- open 24 hours a day -- and was instrumental in the establishment of their successful arts and crafts business in 1972.

This venture currently employs about 600 people.

One of Sapto's more recent controversial actions was to purchase land near Yogyakarta to build a cemetery for artists.

"People said he was crazy. They said he should use it for development. But Sapto believes that artists should be honored as heroes, just as soldiers are." said Yani.

"There are nine people buried there now, including the composer of Bagimu Negri. With him are other composers: a musician, an actor and a filmmaker," she said.

The selection criteria must have achieved some distinction in the arts.