Tyrie's art adorns children's books

Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Inside the hustle and bustle of Jakarta, where she has been living for the past 10 years, New Zealander Katrina, or Trina Bohan Tyrie has found an enormous inspiration for her paintings.

The 49-year-old artist has poured the colorful environment and rich cultural vibes into the richly colored Jakarta Kitchen series.

But here, she is mostly known as an illustrator of children's books Balinese Children's Favorite Stories (2001) and A Club of Small Men, which was released last month.

"The success of Trina's paintings is due to her skillful technique combined with a pragmatic choice of objects for her subject matter. We see not only art, but knowledge," art observer Agus Dermawan T. said in praise of Tyrie's trademark watercolor paintings.

Born in Canterbury, Tyrie has lived in Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Zimbabwe, following her Scottish husband's work assignments.

Her paintings have been exhibited and are in private collections in Indonesia, the UK, the U.S., China and other countries.

Tyrie is also a member of the Grup 9 artists' community and a founding member of A.I.M, a group of international and Indonesian exhibiting artists.

I met the warm and pleasant woman recently, and below is an excerpt of the interview.

Question: When did you start doing book illustration?

Answer: It was part of my course when I took a diploma in graphic design back in New Zealand. It's something that I've always wanted to do.

I did book design in Zimbabwe. I selected covers, making sure they worked with the chapters, ensuring that the illustrations were relevant, etc. Here I'm only doing illustration design.

How did you end up doing illustrations for Balinese stories?

I was offered the job and quickly said yes because it was an opportunity to do something different. I didn't like the stories at first because I thought some of them were too scary for children. The stories, therefore, were modified to be more fun for children.

The stories carry this universal message, with good against evil, magic and so on. So I think even though they're Balinese favorite stories, children from any country would like them.

Do you usually carry out some research before doing illustrations?

Yes, I do a lot of research. I also have children of my own, so I know what kind of stories they like. As for the Balinese stories, I went to the library. But Bali is not new to me because I've been in and out of Bali for 10 years.

Do you talk with children too?

Not so much these days. When I did the Balinese stories, I asked some children what stories they liked best; that was interesting. It was fun getting to know what they liked.

A lot of kids like frightening stories. They like frogs; well, it varies. Stereotypes also exist, for example girls like princesses who get married and boys like warrior stories (laughs).

What is the difficulty in doing illustrations for children book?

Ensuring and showing that some things happen. What is not really clear in the text, you have to put into action and make clear. (Pause) That's a good question actually.

What I do is, when I first get the script and get to the chapter where the illustration is supposed to be, I make notes immediately. Then I make sketches according to my notes. Then I go back and reread the book again, checking on details.

Why did you choose watercolor?

It's my medium. I like it, I have fun with it. It has certain transparency but at the same time it gives me a depth of color. It just suits me. I've tried other mediums but have always gone back to watercolor.

What do you think about Indonesian children book in general?

I think Indonesian children deserve more books and there should be more available to them. I believe that there are good (local) illustrators and writers. And there are some good books, but it would be nice to have a much wider selection. But the problem is high production costs.

Is the lack of supply caused by poor reading habits here?

That might be true. I've heard the same thing. But I also know that if you have someone to read a story to children, like a storyteller, children will sit and listen.

Having people read stories for a certain age group can be the greatest thing that can happen to them. In many ways I think it's as good as reading.

I also think that children do read if somebody buys them a book. Perhaps it's not that kids are not interested in the stories, but that parents don't buy them books.

What are Indonesian children's books like compared with those from neighboring countries?

Singapore and Malaysia have more children's books. I've been asked to do illustrations on books in the Indonesian language. I personally love to do it but it's difficult to produce books only in Indonesian because they're expensive; the market here is limited and they can't be sold abroad.

The tax here is still high. I think if the tax were more reasonable, that would stimulate book production.

You've been living here for 10 years -- how do you like it here?

There are so many things that can be painted here (laughs), compared with where I come from, because of the rich culture and colorful environment.

I loved this country from the moment I arrived. I thought it was very strange, compared with where I'd been before. It was completely different.

When I first arrived here, it was a big eye-opener. It felt as though someone has opened another door for me. Seeing Indonesia, especially Jakarta, grow in 10 years has been a good thing. It's fun here.

Ten years ago, it was a little slower, quieter. But the texture, the smell -- everything hasn't really changed. Politically, it has changed enormously. So has the art scene. It was much more sedate, but today, there are many great young artists, like Hanafi, for example. I have followed his career, bought his paintings. The idea of Indonesian artists regularly going to Malaysia and Singapore and holding exhibitions there is exciting.

How did you join Grup 9?

I was one of two Westerners invited (to be members). It's wonderful working with the women artists here. I think Dolorosa Sinaga is one of the best sculptresses in the world. Not because I know her, but I'm continually overwhelmed by her work, which portrays Indonesian women. Not many people can be a political artist, and she is very clever.

I also enjoy (painter) Astari's (Rasjid's) works. They're consistent.

What do you think about the tragedy in Bali?

I can't believe it really happened. It's a tragedy. There have been a lot of articles in the media, but at the end of the day they failed to articulate truly what I felt. So my husband and I went there and visited the bombsite.

It was awesome, the most incredible thing that I've ever experienced. I've never been to a place that has seen such violence; I've never been to a bombsite. It was a terrible incident. I felt I had to see the bombsite for myself, to be able to understand.

I was very touched by the scenes of women and children placing flowers, the ceremony, how people were very respectful and quiet. It was very sad. I'm glad I went.