Sasya and the joy of watercolors

Pavan Kapoor, Contributor, Jakarta

"Life is full of surprises" is a common phrase many people swear by. Things never happen the way they ought to and that truth of life perhaps never stood more true for Sasyita Tranggono.

Sasya to friends and family, started her journey with a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering in New York before persevering for a master's degree in Business in Rotterdam.

She went on to become the media and marketing director of the family business, Ristra cosmetics, before being mesmerized by a hobby she had picked up while studying in Rotterdam.

Little did she foresee that the painting lessons, which she started, as a way to fill in her empty evenings, would return and become a passion which would encompass her whole life.

Sasya was selected as part of the 123 artists from over 700 applicants to participate in the International multi-media art exhibition -- the C.P. Biennale at the National Gallery. With only ten Indonesian artists selected for this prestigious event, it is yet another feather in Sasya's cap.

While her Western education imparted a mechanical know-how of painting techniques and conceptualization, the subjective matter that pulled at her brush strokes were closer to home.

Be it soft folds of intricate patterned batik cloth twined around Indonesian masks, flora and fauna and wooden handicrafts or as a backdrop for the regal wayang puppets holding center stage, Sasya seems a woman on journey deep into the rich cultural heritage and exotic natural beauty of her home.

An alluring blend of east and west quietly suggests her love of her cultural background.

In a meeting with The Jakarta Post at the Biennale exhibition Sasya took some time off to commence on a trip down memory lane.

Question: What are your ambitions and plans in the near future?

Right now I am totally involved with various activities to secure myself as an integrated watercolorist and be established as an icon in promoting the medium of watercolors in Indonesia. I am planning a solo exhibition which will take place early 2004.

To bring forth an awareness of the beauty and intricacies of the watercolor medium I have involved myself in various workshops. Earlier it was inviting European artists to conduct workshops but now I am conducting a workshop in conjunction with Lippo Lady card (of Lippo Bank), Niaga Preferred Circle (of Niaga Bank) and some international schools.

Every artist should also be a part of group exhibitions. My next group exhibition is with other female artists such as Kartini Basuki, Erika HW and Nubia and takes place in December at Koi, Saberro House.

What do you think is the root of your ambition and inspiration?

It is really quite difficult pointing to one tangible factor as being the root of my ambition.

Remember the movie Accidental Tourist? Well, I am an Accidental Artist. There was never a plan, what started as a means to kill time somehow created a storm through my creative cells lying dormant within me for so many years.

What I do know is that I needed to do something productive with my free time and when I was expecting my son Nicholas, I wanted to be careful about being exposed to the chemical ingredients in paints. Watercolor was the safest and I was literally "swept ashore."

So basically the roots of my ambition lies in wanting to always be a productive person and not letting the present be wasted in a sea of nothingness.

Will you call this promotion or sale of your art or of the watercolor medium?

Selling myself as a watercolorist and selling my watercolors run hand in glove. Yes, one has to understand that watercolor is a rare skilled medium in the world of painting. Oil paints are easier to handle than watercolors.

Today, not many people are used to watercolor. In fact in the Biennale exhibition, I am the only one representing the medium. So I will have to promote the medium, as an established entity.

I have a commitment to the medium of watercolors . When people appreciate the medium of watercolors, they can understand me as an artist and place a higher value on my work.

When you say awareness of the watercolor medium, how far do you think watercolor has come in the last five to ten years?

Unbelievably slow. At the pace of snails and turtles.

Why so? Considering everything Western catches on fast here?

Firstly, because of the expense of the materials. The best materials are all imported -- the heavy weight paper which is best type of paper to paint on, color tubes, the glass to cover the paintings and the frame.

The technique of watercolor is so different and people still believe something done on paper does not have economic value. Although this view is scoffed at in the West, it will take time for the true art connoisseurs to actually respect this.

Where do you see yourself in the next ten years?

Ten years from now -- it is imperative to succeed both artistically and commercially. You see my mother had an artistic skill but unless she turns it into a commercial enterprise, her skill would have gone unrecognized.

Slowly with time it will diminish. So her advise to me based on experience and authority insisted that I enter the world of "art as a business."

Artistically, I hope to be able to experience other mediums such as batik, ceramics etc. I dream to create my own line of batik and ceramics. I will definitely be investing in a chain of exclusive gift shops called "From Indonesia with Love" in airports and other tourist places of interest. That's my dream and I need to focus to get there.

Although watercolors will remain my primary signature -- my first love, I hope to be able to explore the world of art and from each enriching experience grow as an artist and person.