Spreading artistic legacy of Indonesia's skilled craftspeople

Spreading artistic legacy of Indonesia's skilled craftspeople

Made in Indonesia: A Tribute to the Country's Craftspeople
Warwick Purser, photography by Rio Helmi
Equinox Publishing, September 2005
160 pp (hardcover)
Rp 295,000

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Hand-crafted items, no matter their quality, often earn the
misnomer "handicrafts", which brings to mind cheap souvenirs
peddled to tourists looking for a memento of their trip to take
back home, regardless of craftsmanship or sometimes,
authenticity.

A new book to be released this coming week, Made in Indonesia,
by Equinox Publishing and sponsored by HSBC Indonesia, is set to
redefine the artistic standards of hand-crafted products made by
Indonesian craftspeople in Indonesia.

Written by Warwick Purser, owner of leading exporter Out of
Asia and Warwick Purser Lifestyle, who has been recognized for
his decades-long contribution to promoting the country's hand-
crafted items to overseas markets, the book is aptly subtitled A
Tribute to the Country's Craftspeople.

Accompanied by 180 color images of a broad range of such
products captured by renowned photographer Rio Helmi, Made in
Indonesia explores the heritage of Indonesia's skilled
craftspeople and the international-quality items they create.

"I'm not sure that many people here are aware of the
magnificent, world-class items made by Indonesian craftspeople,
and that they are exported to leading outlets abroad," said HSBC
Indonesia CEO Richard McHowat.

These exclusive stores include Harrods and Marks and Spencer
of the United Kingdom, as well as Marshall Field's and Crate &
Barrel in the United States.

"I think it's going to be a very exciting book ... that will
inspire the minds of people" to feel proud of their country's
skills heritage, said McHowat.

Covering products ranging from glass to stone, from woven
water hyacinth to pandan leaves, and contemporary designs made
from steel and recycled materials, the 160-page book is "not just
a pretty book, but also a kind of sales guide", underlined
McHowat, who is a personal fan of hand-crafted furniture and
accessories.

Each photograph identifies the manufacturer of the product,
and the index contains a list of the 23 suppliers featured in the
book and their up-to-date contact information. These suppliers
were selected in accordance with three criteria: one, the
products are made in Indonesia by Indonesians; two, they
consistently export overseas; and three, they have the capacity
to supply in quantity.

For HSBC Indonesia, which marked its 120th in the country last
year, the book project was a rare opportunity in keeping with its
roots in financing trade and today, in providing start-up capital
and accessibility to international markets to small and medium
enterprises. It also fell in line with the tenets of the bank's
corporate social responsibility, which focuses specifically on
education, environment and community.

"HSBC is a strong believer in that the success and ongoing
profitability of the bank is dependent on the success of the
community in which we operate," said McHowat.

For Purser, this book is another means by which he can
continue to support his adopted community in Tembi village, which
he says is like "one big family".

He has not only harnessed the skills of craftspeople in the
village and provided employment, but has also established a
foundation, a library and other community-oriented facilities to
ensure its sustainability.

Meanwhile, the book will be distributed worldwide, and so
serve to expose the superior quality and original designs of
Indonesian crafts and craftspeople around the globe.

In conjunction with the launch of Made in Indonesia, an
exhibition will be held in the lobby of the World Trade Center,
where suppliers featured in the book will display a select range
of products for two weeks, accompanied by their representatives.

Made in Indonesia product exhibit will be held at the World
Trade Center on Jl. Sudirman from Sept. 26 through Oct. 9. The
exhibit is open to the public except on Sept. 28, when the book
will be unveiled during a private function. Made in Indonesia
will be available at most major bookstores on Sept. 29.