Women artists set out to make their mark

Women artists set out to make their mark

Bambang Asrini Widjanarko, Contributor/Jakarta

Beyond the glamorous openings of art exhibitions, female artists
rarely get the credit they deserve for taking a stand and doing
what they want in life.

While exhibitions come and go, few focus on women artists, who
remain a rarity in the arts community.

Some women, however, are glad that they went against
convention to express themselves through their art.

Astari Rasjid, now one of the country's most famous painters,
with works on gender-related themes, gave up fashion design to
explore her artistic interests.

"Being a painter does not mean you become a superwoman, but
you have to do it completely and seriously," she said.

Becoming a painter was a tough choice to make for her, because
she knew of the changes it would bring.

Her previous experience in art events, including as a project
officer, helped.

"When painting, I try to bring the principal themes in my
life, such as those criticizing and questioning the domination of
the patriarchal culture, like the role of women in Javanese
culture," said Astari, who studied fine art at the Royal College
of Art in London and the University of Minnesota.

"Javanese women should change and cannot be restrained anymore
by unfavorable old traditional values."

But creating artwork requires an investment of time.

"I have to read literature about arts as well as conducting
research related to traditional concepts by collecting facts for
samples. Then, I have to make drafts with sketches and drawing...
before finally entering my studio in Bali to start painting."

Astari said her art provided a good living, with collectors
willing to pay huge amounts for the often cryptically themed
works.

"However, I respect the appreciation and one thing that
touches me most (in becoming a painter) is the satisfaction I get
out of it," Astari said.

Female sculptor Iriantine Karnaya, one of the founders of the
Indonesian Sculptors Association, never imagined that she would
be an artist one day.

Curiosity that led her to become a sculptor.

"And the more challenges and opportunities I found, the more
comfortable I felt. It is something that I must settle in my
life."

She has also tackled her fair share of problems, from the
difficulties of getting materials to create sculptures as well as
the public's low opinion of the field

But she perseveres. One of her works, exhibited in Calcutta,
won a World Health Organization award for symbolizing love and
affection of a mother and a child. She also won a Best Work Award
for Gula dan Semut (Ant and Sugar), made of bronze in 1995,
during the Trienalle II at Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center in
Central Jakarta.

Iriantine, who is also a lecturer at the Jakarta Arts
Institute, wants to show that an artist can be a professional,
and that it is not a field to be feared.

"I don't want to be a hypocrite by saying that I do this
merely based on idealism. I need money. In this way, our life
becomes a balanced one."

More women artists -- mostly younger ones with education and
talent -- are entering the fine arts scene, each one with their
own characteristics.

Vonny Pekerti, 33, found that being a painter was a good
profession, but she still saw that many of her peers only painted
to meet the market demand or on order from collectors.

It's a trend that she said would eventually lead to stagnation
of art development.

"We always find the same artists in the market. In the West,
people appreciate modern and contemporary paintings because they
are able to interpret the painting not only physically, but also
with their imagination, life philosophy and daily social life."

She blamed the trend on poor education and the powerful
influence of galleries, collectors, curators and a few critics.
She said that art appreciation should start early, such as with
school programs to regularly visit galleries and museums.

Most curators and critics are weak and not open minded, while
artists should be given more freedom in the choices they make,
she said.

"In New York, collectors can buy the works of young painters
from any university. Noncollectors can buy the works of beginners
and people support this development. A creation can only be
appreciated for its spirit and originality," said Vonny, who also
continues in her field of interior design.

Artist Shawnee Puti is proud of her choice of profession.

"The main reason why I decided to be an artist is that I want
to be able to freely express myself, to be able to work by myself
without any restrictions or deadline...," said the 28-year-old
graduate of the Art Student League of New York.

Shawnee's interest in painting started when she was very
young, thanks to her art collector grandfather and ikebana artist
grandmother.

Her love for art grew when she went to the U.S. to visit
museums. It was there that she decided to completely dedicate her
life to the world of art.

"I grew up in a totally nonrepressive climate so I could
freely choose my life path. And of course, with faith, I chose to
be a painter."

Her style, abstract-expressionism, suits her soul and spirit.

"I love the style because of its way in touching your inner
soul deep inside...." said the artist.

She has already had several solo exhibitions, but it's the
kind words of strangers about her works that bring her the most
pride.