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Budi Karmanto's: frog comedy
Budi KarmantoPhysicist Niels Bohr once said that there are some things so serious you have to laugh at them
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Budi Karmanto
Physicist Niels Bohr once said that there are some things so serious you have to laugh at them.
Art too, is a kind of catharsis that helps us face life, especially in a chaotic city like Jakarta.
Like other metropolitan cities, Jakarta is competitive in almost every aspect, inspiring some artists to deal with this situation through humor.
Artist Budi Karmanto is one of them.
He shared his tips of how survive as an artist in Jakarta.
'I like to laugh at life, at big and small things, through my paintings,' he said.
The self-taught painter came from a very modest family and long ago, he survived by working as a newspaper seller while as an artist he constantly questioned his life.
He now works as an art teacher in one of Jakarta's international schools.
'I live in two worlds; earning my living by doing anything I can and growing up as an artist. The Frog seems like the most appropriate symbol for me,' Budi said.
Born in Jakarta 50 years ago, Budi has Javanese blood running in his veins but he feels closer to Jakarta's native ethnic group, the Betawi, in their straightforward way of communicating, even about taboo
matters.
Observing his works, it's hard to not smile, as many present humorous stories in a straightforward manner.
His work ranges from carefree subject matter such as a frog-bodied man relaxing in a chair to pieces that call attention to bigger problems in society, like a frog posing elegantly while contemplating the country's fate.
His simple style of painting immediately wins the hearts of his audience.
'I'm not a famous or rich painter ['¦] my concern is that an artist should be honest and talk about the inequality around us,' he said.
The artist's attitude and statements are well-represented in his choice of alter ego ' the frog ' which throughout his work is depicted in various forms. In one piece, as the punakawan, the band of jesters from Javanese shadow puppetry.
The jester characters laugh at anything, either the antagonist or protagonist. Their most-popular performances usually reflect on the life of the spectators ' entertaining while at the same time, subtly criticizing those in power.
Semar, a punakawan figure who represents wisdom, makes a regular appearance in Budi's paintings.
'I like Semar because he is not just a regular comedian. He represents the gods who defend the fate of the common people,' he said.
Budi's tendency to explore and experiment was recently shown in a solo exhibition at Balai Budaya gallery in Jakarta, which took 'Bingkai Koran' (The Newspaper's Frame) as its theme.
He did not only feature frogs in his works, but went an extra mile wrapping the gallery's exterior and interior with newspapers.
His decision to wrap the building with newspapers at the exhibition, his eighth solo showcase, may look simple; however, it could also be seen as a type of site specific installation piece. One that conveys the message that news, facts and information exchange place via the newspapers.
His exhibition also highlighted the art gallery's role in artistic development despite its dilapidated condition. 'I prepared a special painting to highlight the building's condition to show my concern,' Budi said, referring to a realist self-portrait standing next to a text that reads 'Balai Budaya'.
The wrapping also has personal significance for him.
'It's a reminder that I used to be a newspaper seller. It's a reflection of my personal history,' said Budi.
Photos by Dani Wardhana
