10 things he can't live without

Ceramics artist F. Widayanto is never in one place for any length of time, dividing his time between his home and studio in the leafy environs of Tapos, Bogor, another studio near Depok and his gallery in Setiabudi, South Jakarta. Given the choice, the 53-year-old would spend his days with his gaggle of seven dogs on his two hectares in Bogor, with the tranquility of nature serving as his inspiration. He also is preparing for a new exhibition, on the theme of Narcissus, for the middle of the year. He admits to being a study in contrasts: a Jakarta-born but still thoroughly Javanese man who made two unconventional decisions in life: Not marrying and earning his living from art. "In focusing on ceramics, I have to do everything to survive, and do it in a professional way," he said. "At the age of 31, I had to decide: Would I marry or focus on my career? And I chose to do the second. So I rarely meet with my siblings, I can't get caught up in family things. In that way, I'm not the typical Indonesian."

DOGS: They really are the best companion. I can't stand to look at their eyes too long, because their gaze is so pure. They have always been my friends.

WAYANG: The philosophy of the tales is so deep and human that people today could learn from them. I don't really have a favorite, although I respect the character of Drupadi (the wife of the five Pendawa brothers). She was a faithful wife but so strong, vowing to wash her hair with the blood of those who sexually humiliated her.

SAMBAL: When I was kid, I didn't like chili. My father was a bit colonial about food; we had to have soup and a main course. And I'm a bit allergic to it, because it causes problems with my threat. But when I was a student in Bandung, I came to like Sundanese food; because it's the freshest. Now I make sure to eat sambal and fresh greens, and fried tempeh, whenever I can. The chili is good for circulation.

WORKING OUT: It's only in the last three years that I realized I needed fitness. I thought I got enough exercise from my daily activities and then I had to have a back operation. Now I do the treadmill, weights and swim. The exercise also helps me with my low blood pressure.

BOOKS: You get to go outside of your own world with books. Whether they are about film, fashion or people, they give me inspiration, fuel my imagination and stir ideas. I've learned a lot about them, especially about studying anatomy.

BAG: It's so practical, and I can carry everything I need in my bag. I have my art supplies, a change of underwear, T-shirt and shower kit.

ART SUPPLIES: I always bring my art supplies with me, and try to draw wherever I can.

AGENDA: I panic if I don't have my agenda with me. I couldn't live without it. It has everything I need; my schedule, phone numbers, addresses. I don't worry too much if I don't have my cell phone with me, and the reception here is not very good anyway. I have my agendas from the last 23 years; I can go back and see what I was doing on a certain date, who I met and where.

MUSIC: I like classical music, from slow tunes to the very dramatic, opera. Maybe it's like my character. I can explode. It's bad for others, but for me it's a release. You know the real me when I have done that in front of you.

ITALY: I love travel, although I hate the boredom of air travel today. Europe has lots of statues and art, but everything seems more dramatic, more hedonistic in Italy. The Renaissance was a great age. And I like ice cream.

+ Bruce Emond

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