From his parents' garage to a building of his own, from a photographer's studio to a gallery in Kemang - such was, in short, the path of Edwin Rahardjo, who founded and developed, with ever ambitious goals, his gallery in the prestigious center of Kemang, South Jakarta.
From having zero knowledge in the visual arts to being a pioneer in exhibiting sculpture and women's art when no one else was seriously thinking about their place in the world of art, Edwin can look back on the 25 years of running his gallery as an existence well worth the while.
To commemorate the gallery's activities of the past 25 years, a series of five exhibitions were held, featuring both established and emerging artists, in addition to Edwin's own collection. "Reality Bites" is the fifth, final and most prominent exhibition in the series to celebrate Edwin's Gallery's jubilee.
The selected artists who either worked with Edwin's in the past, or are still in a close relationship, appear to have been intent on bringing quality works, with some showing distinctive developments. Certainly some of Edwin's early female artists such as Ay Tjoe Christine, Ayu Arista Murti, Bunga Jeruk and Sekar Jatiningrum are among the stars of the show.
Ay Tjoe (b. 1974), who had solo exhibitions in 2003 and 2006 at Edwin's Gallery, has since climbed the professional ladder with unusual speed. For this exhibition, she made two paintings and two objects titled How Many Kilogrammes. Ayu Arista Murti (b. 1979) is fast ascending too, now finding her niche with images that speak of more joyful imaginings in The Next Garden. Bunga Jeruk (b. 1972), long perceived as an artist of paintings with dramatic children scenes, reveals a somewhat hidden sculptural aspect in her fiber and paint featuring a pig. And then there is Sekar Jainingrum (b. 1969) whose long absence from the art world has not in the least diminished her exquisite skill in fine pencil drawings.
The artists selected to participate in this exhibition are all more or less around the 40-year age group, many of whom are also quite successful in the art market, such as Tommy Wondra (b. 1980) and Gusmen Heriadi (b. 1974), who both featured in Edwin's Gallery's collaborative exhibitions with galleries in Seoul, Gwangju and Beijing. Still fresh in the memory are Tommy Wondra's successful paintings featuring stones and threads, which he used to paint in umpteen versions. But now he seems to have taken to green pastures, with white sheep featuring as metaphors for a long travel in Perjalanan. Gusmen Heriadi's track record saw him featured in the Philip Morris Award exhibition of 1998 and the Indofood Award exhibition of 2002, as well as numerous group shows of importance.
Sigit Santoso (b. 1964), who has been in exhibitions at Edwin's Gallery virtually every year since 1995, offers one of his iconic paintings, this time featuring a figure stating Look Sir, I'm right. Hojatul (b. 1980) started his annual participation at Edwin's Gallery's exhibitions only in 2007, after a short presentation in joint exhibitions in Yogyakarta since 2005. In this exhibition, he presents three paintings that suggest an exploration of space with figures that appear to be made from bed cushions.
Indra Widyanto (b. 1975), a finalist in the 7th Philip Morris Indonesia Award of 1999 and the Nokia Award of 2000, and was also included in the top three of the Asia Europe Young artist Painting Competition of the same year, offers paintings of the surreal. Rieswandi (b. 1978), whose history of achievements is too long to quote here, offers paintings that evoke some reflection, especially with titles such as Between Minds, Self Destruction and From Within.
Sugiyo Dwiarso (b. 1968), who first appeared in an Edwin's group exhibition in 2004, presents a painting featuring hands reaching out to a small figure in blue sitting in a chair, titled Prey. Taufik (b. 1984), the youngest, joined Edwin's group exhibitions in 2008.
Since 2000, Edwin Rahardjo has been on the look out for promising young artists. He has said that he chooses artists because he likes their work. In the case of this particular exhibition, it seems Edwin's taste, for the most part, matches that of the public.
Reality Bites
Joint Exhibition
Until Nov. 30
Edwin's Gallery
Kemang Raya 21, Jakarta
Tel: (021) 7179 0049
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