Yogya art on display in Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): Entering the World Trade Center, you are greeted by sculptures of wood, iron and gypsum showing monster-like people. Paintings and screenprints are also part of the works of 81 artists currently exhibiting at the center.

The Indonesian Fine Arts Academy in Yogyakarta organized the exhibition, which runs through Monday and is planned to be an annual event.

According to committee members, all costs for the event came from the artists themselves, and they will also give all proceeds to charity.

"This year, we're contributing to food stalls," said noted painter and an organizer, Sri Hadhy, of profits from the works, priced from a few hundred thousand rupiah to Rp 20 million.

The exhibition has a variety of works, including the monster terrifying visitors in the lobby entrance by Widodo R., as well as beautiful massive human sculptures of iron by Hartono.

One of many foreign guests remarked of a work by Hening Purnamawati: "You can look at this painting for hours." The painting he was enjoying was that of a colorful underwater fish scene.

Artist Rahmat Subani Irfani combines his paintings with reality -- the one of an avocado tree has a galah (long stick used to pick fruit) hanging out of the painting -- tempting viewers to taste some ripe fruit. (Marieke van Heek)