Spaniard paints with Balinese touch

Spaniard paints with Balinese touch

By Carla Bianpoen

JAKARTA (JP): Several Spanish artists have come to Indonesia
to have their creativity spurred by a culture different from
their own, in an environment that contains aspects similar to
their own, but nevertheless foreign. Just like great masters of
the West introduced new forms of art through assimilating African
or Pacific cultures, a stay in Indonesia is expected to spur the
Spanish artists' creativity, leading to, who knows, new
directions in Spanish art. Later, art historians might identify
this point in time as a turning point in Spanish art expression.

Since last year, six artists have visited Indonesia, each for
a two-month stay, and each of them has exhibited their products
at the Spanish Embassy on Jl. Haji Agus Salim.

Pere Bennassar is the seventh artist, currently displaying his
creations until March 23. Twenty-one paintings are testimony to
the influence of life in Bali during eight weeks. Apparently, the
sun in Bali is different from that in his hometown Felanitx in
Mallorca. White, light blue, red and yellow are now dominating
his canvases, replacing his usual darker hues.

"Everything is different, and everything is interesting,"
remarks the artist, explaining the subject themes of his
paintings.

There is Perro, a sculpture-like animal depiction, inspired by
the many dogs he has seen in the street, there are also the faces
women selling vegetables, souvenirs, clothes or offering massages
on the beach. Other sources of inspiration are the fish and
fruit, fences and cocks, and the overwhelming view of the beach,
the sea and the hotel. Remarkably, the temples abundant in the
public and private domain of Balin appear to have escaped his
interest.

Pere Bennassar's works have an air of Picasso and Miro. This
is understandable, as these are his two heroes. Pablo Picasso
(1881-1973) was the most influential figure in modern art, known
for his mastery of many styles, his sweeping vibrance and his
enormous creativity, while Joan Miro (1893-1983) was a great
master of modern surrealistic art who created whimsical figures
and forms with a great sense of humor which both old and young
people could relate to.

As a boy, Pere Bennassar used to copy the works of these
masters in ceramics, which were made in his father's ceramics
factory. Somehow, that time continues to mark his works. In his
sculptured painting of Perro the straight cubist planes and the
eye of the dog may be reminiscent of a Picasso, and its tail may
look like a Miro, yet it falls short of vibrance and a 'soul'
which would have completed the appealing color combination.

By contrast, his depictions of still life seem to be more
illustrative of his own identity. Playful lines form the shapes
of his imagery, while a collage using paper and different kinds
of canvas puts the accent on the works which combine white, blue,
and red and yellow hues.

Colors take an important place in the works on display. With
so many colors splashing out under the sun in Bali, it could not
be otherwise. It is true that Mallorca is a place where tourists
from Europe flock for a bit of sun, but then, evidently the
variations in Bali are more plentiful with a stronger impact of
the sun.

Evidently, two months in Bali did not provide enough time for
the artist to get out of the ambience of a modern hotel in order
to know the culture with its traditions and its intertwining of
art and religion and ceremonies, an essential part of Balinese
life.

Pere Bennassar was born in Felanitx, Mallorca. He has enjoyed
a formal art education and has worked and exhibited in various
European countries. In two weeks, he will return to Spain, where
he will continue to produce art inspired by Bali. Bali for Pere
is the best place to be. "I shall return" is a promise he wants
to keep. Maybe then he will be allowed to have some time to make
up for a serious omission this time, i.e. meet with Indonesian
artists.