Sekar and Bunga bloom in fine arts galore
Sekar and Bunga bloom in fine arts galore
Yusuf Susilo Hartono, Contributor, Jakarta
Edwin's Gallery in South Jakarta has been running an exhibit
of the finest works of two female artists both of whom have names
that happen to mean "flower", in Indonesian, Sekar and Bunga.
Another coincidence is that they are both alumnae of the
Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) in Yogyakarta.
Although they share those things in common, they adhere to
different styles and philosophies about art.
Bunga Jeruk, who was born in Surakarta on May 8, 1972, has
displayed her two- and three-dimensional artwork consisting of
paintings, statues and installations that all reflect her
determination to break free from barriers that shackle her
freedom of expression.
Sekar Jatiningrum, born in Yogyakarta on June 10, 1969, has
done many black-white pencil sketches on paper.
Bunga's spirit for freedom comes from her maturity and
discipline toward herself and her environment. She refuses to
follow the path of other artists who glorify socio-political and
moral themes in their work.
Her paintings feature dolls, pears, cacti, cats or dogs. She
uses colors which do not symbolize anything in particular, just
the natural color of the objects.
"At first I was worried critics would lash out against my work
(for diverting from the common style) but I have managed to
assure myself that I have to be myself.
"Now I want to create art that I like, and worry about
nothing," she said.
Of Bunga's 14 works on display, pieces titled Siapa Takut?
(Dolphin's Kiss) featuring a red bear doll with a blue dolphin
doll pecking at the bear's head really gives a sense of her
freedom.
Another titled Semua Anjing Juara (Every Dog is # 1), has been
used as the theme of the exhibition. It features a stone dog
statue. Wooly Bully depicts a number of dolls and Powderpuff
Girls cartoon characters.
Percaya Aja Deh (Just Trust the Driver) featuring an
overcrowded bus passing a bridge shows superb technical skill.
Art critic Jim Supangkat says that Bunga Jeruk means to
portray the real world like the world of cartoon, where people
are pictured as animals. "It is a world of humor where sarcasm
and slapstick walk a fine line."
After observing Bunga's lively paintings on the first floor of
Edwin's Gallery, go upstairs, where Sekar's pieces are exhibited.
The contrast is blinding.
As the curator Suwarno Wisetrotomo says, Sekar's art is like a
monologue. Her pieces offer structures of unusual tales, shapes
and atmospheres.
An admirer of Surabaya-based writer Budi Darma, Sekar has hit
on a sentimental mood as her main theme is presenting figures of
women: "I am in loneliness" and "I am in relations with" (from
other people up to natural environment).
Sekar drew a strange woman in Sentimental Mood. The woman is
standing, wearing a floral skirt. Her hands are holding a stick.
Twigs are coming out of her body and a horn protrudes from her
head. She has a frightening face, an odd mix, part human, part
animal, part supernatural creature.
The exhibition room seems crowded with Sekar's 21 sketches on
small paper but containing grand values of both technique and
ideas.
In fact, her pieces have become the object of intense
competition among collectors. Nearly all of her paintings on
exhibit have been sold.
Several people have even vied with each other for obtaining
her other paintings. To make it fair, during the closing of this
exhibition on April 7, they will have to draw lots to decide who
will own Sekar's small-sized sketches.
The exhibition is running through April 7, 2002, at Edwin's
Gallery on Jl. Kemang Raya 21 in South Jakarta. Phone (021)
7194721.