Two artists explore world of black and white
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.