Yogyakarta - Graphic art in Indonesia has often been used to spread propaganda and ideologies.
According to curator Aminudin TH Siregar, a climax in the use of graphic art as a tool for propaganda was experienced during the first anniversary of Indonesia‘s independence, in August 1946.
But until the present day, graphics as both a genre of art and tool for propaganda or pseudo-propaganda, can be found in works by the socialist art movement Taring Padi.
For many people, graphic arts are automatically connected to illustrations -- therefore something that cannot really be enjoyed on its own. Graphics are stigmatized, at least in Indonesia, for not being true or real art; the situation is different in Europe where graphic arts flourished under big names like Albrecht Duerer, Escher and Kaethe Kollwitz.
But even in Europe, one has to admit that graphic arts have always stood in the shadow of other art genres, like painting.
The current exhibition being held at Bentara Budaya, Yogyakarta, which opened on June 14, aims to counterbalance the two forms of fine art; painting and graphics. Works of art are on offer that serve both ideological and aesthetical values.
The exhibition "Seni Grafis di Zaman Ini" (Modern Day Graphic Art) involves the works of graphic artists from different generations. Andre Tanama, the youngest artist in this exhibition at 26 and the first winner of the Second Indonesian Graphic Art Trienal 2006 organized by Bentara Budaya Jakarta, exhibits his work next to senior graphic artist Haryadi Suadi, who was born in 1939.
The artists‘ educational backgrounds are divided into the Bandung and the Yogyakarta school of arts.
The current graphic arts exhibition serves the purpose of maintaining a consistent observation of the development of graphic arts in Indonesia, as stated by Bentara Budaya.
Bentara Budaya, one of Indonesia‘s leading art institutions with a long tradition of collecting art work, has carried out two graphic art competitions under the title "Trienal Seni Grafis Indonesia", in 2003 and 2006.
The organizers of the present exhibition invited winners of both Trienals, and graphic artists known as committed figures with high achievements in their fields, to take part in the exhibition.
The art works in the current exhibition display a wide range of techniques and themes. All but Hariyadi Suadi, Setiawan Sabana and S. Pahlevi use graphics to express their own individual thoughts and feelings, as explained by curator Aminudin TH. Siregar.
Hariyadi Suadi has long been known for his skill in mixing local or eastern aesthetic with the principals of the modern world.
Pahlevi‘s art work seems detached from ideological ideas. He illustrates the landscape, which he sees everyday.
Tisna Sanjaya and Agung Kurniawan are known for their critique on society and the political ruling class. Agung Kurniawan shows a piece of art that is based on his personal research about Adidas shoe production in Indonesia, called Adidas Tragedy.
In the current exhibition, it can be seen that Indonesian graphic arts are still used to express ideas that can go as far as being called propaganda. But it is also clear that graphic arts can serve the purpose of personal expression or purely aesthetic values, as one finds in the fine work of young lecturer Andre Tanama or Agus Prasetyo.
The exhibition shows that graphic arts are continuing to be used and developed by Indonesian artists. Within the last year, art observers were able to enjoy more and more graphic art from artists willing to step out of the shadows and exhibit their work.
The current exhibition is a present indication of this trend and an expression of hope that Indonesian graphic artists will further advance to eventually take an equal position next to their painting colleagues.
"Seni Grafis di Zaman Ini"
Bentara Budaya, Yogyakarta
Jl. Suroto No 2
Kotabaru, Yogyakarta
Until Monday, June 23
(By Claudia Seise)
Source: http://old.thejakartapost.com (June 21, 2008)
