Young glassmaker creates oversized portrait of sultan
Ridlo Aryanto, Contributor, Jakarta
An imposing glass ornament showing the crowning of Yogyakarta King Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X in 1989 greets everyone visiting the Jogja Expo Center, the city's grandest convention building.
Those who think that the exotic, detailed and elegant creation is the work of a famous and reputable glass craftsman will be surprised to find out that it was created by a young, 26-year-old craftsman, Dedy Sindutomo.
Using colored glass imported from the U.S., Dedy managed to complete the 10 meter by 16 meter royal figure in two months.
"It's a special order and I was told that the king was satisfied with the glass image," Dedy said proudly.
Born in Yogyakarta on May 31, 1976, the father of two has produced other notable art pieces.
His other creations include a calligraphy piece at Yogyakarta's Gajah Mada University's mosque, Jesus' Last Supper at the Tridadi church in Sleman, ornaments at Gadjah Wong restaurant by Gadjah Wong river and in all rooms of the Muhammadiyah central board's new headquarters, Gedoeng Nuhammadiyah.
He said that the Muhammadiyah office also has exclusive ornaments in the office of its board chairman Prof. Syafie Maarif. "During the process of making the glasswork, Prof. Syafie Maarif helped to contribute ideas for some designs," said the West Sumatra native.
The son of late Ishak Djulis, owner of Surya Padang restaurant with six outlets in Yogyakarta, Dedy first learned glassmaking skills from art books by Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) lecturer Wiyono. He later on had actual training with the author himself, who helped Dedy with his first drafts and guided him.
Now the young man, who started his glassmaking business after his father's death in 1996, is the proprietor of Trimulyo Glass with two workshops and 18 workers assisting him in Kronggahan and Janti, Yogyakarta.
The glass business helped introduce Dedy, a wayward student during his school days, who frequently instigating student brawls, to Bagong Sulaeman, a senior glass craftsman in the city. Bagong, who exported his products, awakened Dedy's interest in glasswork.
"With self-confidence, anyone can learn the skill," said the man who had tried his luck opening a sidewalk food stall -- which was short-lived, and later, a glass shop with his two friends that also closed after a while.
As more craftsmen show interest in the business, it has become more competitive.
Other glass craftsmen, for instance, price a square meter of glasswork at Rp 2 million, while Dedy offers them at Rp 1.25 million. Still, he is still able to make an average 30 percent profit while maintaining the quality of his product.
When asked to compare the profits gained from a Padang food restaurant and from glassmaking, he said his glasswork could earn him about Rp 120 million in normal orders a month while a restaurant business might give him unlimited income, if the business runs smoothly.
"But the glass business has turned out to be more than just about money. I can come close to public figures and this gives me invaluable spiritual satisfaction not found in running any restaurant," he said.
Still, he regrets that his father could not see his present achievements. "My delinquent behavior made him very sad. He would surely be proud if he was alive to see this."