Works of local painters selected for Asian exhibition

By Rina Rao

JAKARTA (JP): As part of its third anniversary celebrations, the Grand Hyatt Jakarta presents "Indonesia's Excellence", an exhibition of paintings by 20 Indonesian artists. The works featured here are the ones selected to represent Indonesia at the "Asia's Excellence" exhibition to be held in Singapore in September.

The members of the selection panel (Agus Darmawan, Jim Supangat and Kent Tan) must be complimented on their selection, which is a broad but faithful representation of contemporary Indonesian canvas. As Darmawan points out, one must bear in mind that Indonesian paintings have a characteristic style which is quite distinctive from the rest of the art world.

The modernization of art in Indonesia started with Raden Saleh in the mid-19th century, passed through a period of intense nationalism and progressed toward reflecting the soul of the artist as an individual, always in the context of the collective consciousness. So while the technique often reflects Western influence, the subject matter is of local relevance.

Thus the 20 artists featured in this exhibition are all rooted in Indonesian tradition, though some of them express themselves along with Western concepts.

The relationship between the artist's intuition and reality is not a formulated one. It is a relationship that is not rational, direct or objective. Indonesian artists are strongly influenced by sociocultural forces, elements like mystical images, lyricism and awe-inspiring enchantment. All are manifestations of this fact.

Barli Sasmitawinata, who first emerged during the revolutionary period between 1940 and 1950, has three works in this exhibition. Drying the Cloth, oil on canvas done in the realistic style, uses a very local theme from everyday life, but the Western influence in the artist's technique is clearly visible in this work.

Abas Alibasyah represents the tendency towards the decorative, where objectivity is not of prime importance. The colorful Kuda Lumping and Wanita yang Bijak both in acrylic on canvas, both with decorative and painterly qualities.

Abstract works

The only two purely abstract works in the show are both by Heyi Ma'mun. The paintings, depicting an observation of nature rendered quite lyrically, are strongly reminiscent of her teacher A.D. Pirous.

Heri Dono, an artist who became eminent in the 1980's, has two collages with acrylic on canvas, A Mother Gets Aid and Pembawa Cakra Perdamaian. Creative and very symbolic, with influences of post-expressionism, both these works make a statement. Heri Dono's work usually includes traditions from mass culture along with personal expression. The result is art that has imagination and spirituality, and communicates at the same time. He mixes symbols of mass culture with what Jim Supangkat calls 'low art' to pluralize meanings, and reflects a diverse multicultural approach with a touch of humor.

The works of Dede Eri Supriya and Sudarisman are in the photo-realist genre. These paintings use a variety of images and symbols, and sometimes a collage. The imagery in Supriya's paintings revolves around social issues, and he often parodies and questions urban life. Sudarisman's work is surrealistic in nature. These paintings are competently executed and reflect a major trend in Indonesian art.

Salim M. has interesting themes combining fantasy, realism and intellectual content. Supriyadi's excellent technique and fine aesthetic sense are reflected in his expressive and spontaneous paintings, Gadis dan Burung Dara and Gadis Tenganan. Ida Hadjar's The Javanese Family and Playing the Deviled Bamboo Horse reflect an expressive style combined with good draftsmanship. His expressionistic work balances emotion with a highly commendable artistic distance.

A number of artists in the show present works that are purely decorative but are, nevertheless, technically well-executed and represent an important facet of contemporary Indonesian art.

"Indonesian Excellence" is a well mounted and well-selected show and is a fair representation of contemporary art in Indonesia. It is also commendable that the Grand Hyatt has taken it upon itself to sponsor and host the show. One hopes this is but the beginning of a major and consistent patronage of the arts on their part.