Two artists explore world of black and white

JAKARTA (JP): What is the last day for the caterpillar is perhaps the beginning of a new life for the butterfly. And what seems to be simplistic in ignoring the use of color and expensive oil paints is perhaps the depth of belief in the power of black and white.

The ongoing exhibition Hitam Putih (Black White) by artists Slamet Pujiono and Harijadi is the most recent wave to wash up on the shores of the art world -- drenching art lovers in yet another undiluted explosion of rich Indonesian talent.

The two Javanese artists settled on the island of Bali and began using the simple medium of pen on paper to unleash their art. Almost all the artworks on display are not more than 30 cm in size and share Balinese themes. While art is associated with color, Slamet Pudjiono and Harijadi have done away with that associative notion quite efficiently with just a pen, some ink and paper in their drawings.

Both artists share a similar style, incorporating black dots and lines varying in intensity to portray the depth of shadow and texture of surface. With a mastery of contrast, Slamet and Harijadi have created simple everyday Balinese scenes bathed in sunlight with shadows and restive shades creating magical contrasts. Undeterred by the absence of the powerful tool of color, these two artists have indeed done away altogether with the need for any color with the mastery of detail.

The choice of theme and subject matter also seems to bind both the artists seamlessly in depicting everyday still life objects, such as temple offerings ready for prayer, the intrinsic Balinese in spirit scenes such as statues, temples and black-and-white checkered cloth tied around the stone temple base, or the omnipotent banyan tree, such as in Akar Beringin, and Ketongan.

Staying away from sociopolitical issues that seem to be dominating the works of artists as well as the tumultuous quick style of today, Slamet and Harijadi concentrate on repose and calm and a quiet expressing the spirit and totality of the artist itself.

Art critic Ipong Purnama Sidhi calls their artworks valuable documentation material, especially sudut pagar, rumah garam I and II, Pura Sembahyang. The Balinese architecture of houses and temples are expressed in fine detail, offering valuable documentation for historians. (Pavan Kapoor)

The exhibition is at Andi Gallery, Jl. Tanah Abang IV/14, Central Jakarta, until April 7.