Tabanan, Rainbow over Ricefields

Gusti Oka Suradnya, A Painting Master Crusader

Grown up in unsupported environment not like in the “art pantry” of Gianyar regency, this 71 years old man dedicated his entire life in painting art since young until now. He is I Gusti Oka Suradnya, who born at Tengah sub village, Marga village, Tabanan regency, on 29 Juli 1932. Started from his ill-treat as a crusader of Indonesian independence, finally occupied in the realm of painting art. He participated in struggling for colonialism in our archipelago. Moreover, in Marga Village, his hometown, he struggled against the Japanese colonialist under the leader of Posthumously Brigadier General I Gusti Ngurah Rai. “Before embrace in art painting, I was a crusader who nomadic in action, often evacuating to the river or jungle. I was rare to be at home, because always joining with the troop,” said this gray-haired old man who creates tens even hundreds of arts works.
The husband of Ni Gusti Putu Sarija (66) confesses that he has been fond in painting art since elementary school. And receiving many art awards in painting until he graduated from elementary school in 1949. But, when he continued his study to senior high school at Surabaya, his painting activity suddenly stop for a moment. It continued again since entering the collage realm at Perseri (Perguruan Seni Rupa Singaraja—Singaraja’s Fine Art Institute). He is a diligent student and produce a lot of art works. “I sufficiently learn painting with Ida Bagus Made Kalem from Geria Belayu, in order to broaden my skill,” said the son of I Gusti Ketut Jernang and I Gusti Wayan Seruni proudly.
For his great artistic skill in painting over the canvas, even the ordinary people can easily understand the message through his paintings. Most of his canvas painting is in Balinese traditional semi-naturalist. The works of this simple man ordered by many persons and art shops in tourist area at Tabanan. Beside that, this father of five children always execute for solo or group exhibition at several places in Bali.
Several of it was the exhibition in 1961 at Tabanan City. On that opportunity, one of his paintings was sold for Rp. 3.000,-. At the same year, he often entrusted his painting at the art shops, and join with other artisans to execute a small exhibition. But, in 1965, the G30S PKI (Gestapu) rebellion, the exhibition activities were stopped. The post-year, in1968, he returns for an exhibition at Art Center Denpasar and YKB (Yayasan Kerajinan Bali—Balinese Handicraft Foundation), where the Chinese Prime Minister bought one piece of his painting. In 1972, again the exhibition was held at the same place. “Although none of painting were sold, but I really glad for seen by the Vice President Sudarmono,” he add.
Not only that, mostly of this naturalist painting ordered by several areas at Tabanan, Denpasar, Singaraja, and even from Sumatra and also form overseas countries such as England, Holland, China, and USA. “But, the most demanded painting is the nature painting with 90% contains of name, place and birthday, according to order,” he said.
Recently, this old man who as the accreditation receiver from Tabanan administration in 1961 is still fresh, always dedicated his soul in art painting and serve for each order. He with pleasure will give guidance and train the youth for an art painting. Moreover, many of his students are talented in painting with amazing works. His children do not follow his specialization of art painting. They are more interesting in other arts, such as dance art and tabuh art, including one of his children I Gusti Nengah Budiarsa, S.Sn who graduated from Sekolah Tinggi Seni Indonesia (STSI) Denpasar. For his spirit and creativity in art works, on Monday night (30/6), I Gusti Oka Suradnya receiving an accreditation as old artisan from Bali Governor, who in chance represented by Vice Governor of Administration and Public Welfare, I Gst Alit Putra. (BTN/015)