Sculptor G. Sidharta Exhibits His Works at Grya Santrian, Sanur

It’s no more a secret if the development of sculpturing in Indonesia is not so rapid as that of painting, whereas the number of sculptor in Indonesia and Bali particularly may be said in proportion to that of painter. They even have produced the works of which quality no needs hesitating. Simply mention the works of sculpture like G. Sidharta, Nyoman Nuarta, Sunaryo, Dolorosa Sinaga, Syahrizal Koto, Win Dwilaksono, F Widayanto, Cokot, Ida Bagus Nyana, Ida Bagus Tilem, I Ketut Muja, Akmal Jaya, Awan P Simatupang, Budi Kustarto, Rita Widagdo, Rudi Mantofani and a number
of other sculptors.

Since Indonesia was ‘contaminated’ by modern fine art around the 20th century, the sculpturing of Indonesia seemed to become the art of second class. Sculpturing has become not so popular as painting and stagnant. Even though the development of modern fine art was then progressively rapid, but the sculpturing was still precarious. Indeed, some sculptors can live prosperously by their works, however its number is only a few.
When we learn more, the sculpturing of Indonesia plays sufficiently significant role in the development of contemporary fine art of Indonesia. This matter is discernible from the execution of Indonesian contemporary sculpturing exhibitions around 1977. From thenceforth, the label of contemporary was employed to avoid the use of the term modern sculptor. Assuredly, this pertains to the existence of sculpturing in Indonesia that severely rooted in traditional values. Understanding the significance of modern sculpture in which there should be no more association with traditional sculpturing made the term contemporary agreed to be in use.
G. Sidharta is an Indonesian sculptor who is celebrated these days. He is also an immensely productive pioneer of Indonesian sculpturing. Other than sculpturing, he also paints and makes graphic works. Starting from 11 November to 31 December 2005, he will exhibit 22 of his sculpturing works at Grya Santrian Gallery, Sanur.
He is categorized into an all-round artist and active in innovating in order that sculpturing and sculptor in Indonesia can develop equally well and rapidly to painting. For that purpose, in July 2000 he founded an organization named the Indonesia Association of Sculptors. It means to make cooperation among the sculptors and create appropriate climate for the development of sculpturing in Indonesia.
Sculpturing works of G. Sidharta demonstrates the appreciation towards the local cultural diversity. This is reflected through the ‘expressive language’ of his works. Exploration, critical and striving attitude are important aspect of leap’s footprint as a contemporary sculptor. All obviously manifested on his sculptures that are displayed on the current exhibition in Sanur. (BTN/Gung Man)

Solo Exhibition of Sculpture By Made Suwasa Astawa

Made Suwasa Astawa exhibited eleven sculpture works at Museum Bali on Jalan Major Wisnu, Denpasar. This solo exhibition took place from 31 October to 13 November 2005.
The eleven sculpture works seemingly endeavoured to make electricity as his source of inspiration. At least, this matter could be obviously seen in terms of the titling of his works that closely associated with electric terminologies like voltage, current, electric shock and radiation. Probably, this had something to do with State Electricity Company that became the main sponsor.
In his solo exhibition, Made Suwasa Astawa presented a sculpture that was not so large. The biggest one had dimension of 39cm x 25cm x 25cm. According to him, measurement did not matter for him and the most important was the quality of sculpture works he made. “What is the meaning of large size sculpture if the making is not totally undertaken. I prefer to make a small one but it is worked on wholeheartedly so it can quiver everyone’s heart who sees it,” he said.
Sculpture of Made Suwasa Astawa gave abstract image. In this case, he plays more with space and surface and then it’s completed with geometrical forms. In his current exhibition, all works employed mixed media that according to him, constituted a breakthrough in making sculpture.
It is said that his sculpture are made of a processed materials consisting of paddy husk that is mixed with resin, other ingredients and added with coppery wire. However, its raw materials seem to be very secret thing for its sculptor and that’s why he was reluctant to give us more explanation about it.
Material diversity he employed for his sculptures, at least, came to be an indication that Made Suwasa Astawa is a creative and innovative sculptor. The man of Tabanan-born on 21 March 1974 is a graduate of State Teacher’s Training College of Yogyakarta who is then continued his study to postgraduate program at the Indonesian Institute of Arts in Yogyakarta and completed in 2003. (BTN/Gung Man)