Women artists together for a cause

Women artists together for a cause

By Matdon

BANDUNG (JP): It is still relatively uncommon for women
artists, either alone or in joint exhibitions, to have a forum to
show their art. Some notable exceptions in recent years were the
1995 Group Six Exhibition, one of 100 Indonesian women painters,
the Triumvirate Exhibition and Elly Djohariah Roedyat's solo
exhibition.

The dearth of exhibitions is notwithstanding the many
outstanding women painters in the country, some of whom are part
of the Association of Indonesian Women Painters (IWPI). They
often arrange their own exhibitions in Jakarta, Yogyakarta and
other cities.

Their most recent venture is in Bandung, where 25 noted women
painters are taking part in the exhibition, Care for Fellow
Humans, at Hidayat Gallery, Jl. Sulanjana 36, Bandung. The
exhibition, which opened on Jan. 27, runs until Feb. 14.

The women painters are Elly Djohariah, Nakis Barli, Anna
Witri, Ammi S. Kandi, Clara Aida, Engelina Firmansyah, Fachdila
Bebasari, Hamisah Haryoso, Indrawati Halim, Irene Endarti, Judy
Indahwati, Lenawaty Tjandradrasa, Lili Simon, Mettanada, Pegawati
Lina, Prie Ernalia, Rukmini Yusuf, Samsunuwiyati, Sri Hartini,
Susiawati, Syeni Setiayu Roedyat, Soedjanah Darusman, Theresia
Haryanto, Yulia Sugiarti and Fatimah.

Each painter is exhibiting two works, with the proceeds from
sales to be donated to school dropouts, orphans, elderly people
with disabilities and victims of natural disasters. The works are
on sale from Rp 500,000 to Rp 12.5 million per piece.

Exhibition committee chairwoman Elly Djohariah said the
motivation for the event came from a sense of responsibility and
desire to participate in nation building, particularly in
developing the fine arts in Indonesia.

The women artists are not newcomers, but are experienced in
showing their works. Elly, for instance, has held exhibitions
since 1950. Most of the women are in their 50s and, while their
works vary, they tend to show landscapes and the beauty of flora
and fauna.

The women said their involvement in IWPI was a forum to create
and carry out humanitarian activities was not separated from the
guidance of notable Bandung artist Barli Sasmitawinata. Barli
also has allowed his gallery to be used as a secretariat for the
IWPI.