Up for grabs: Catalyst Art Market returns for another event this weekend in Jakarta, showcasing the works of Indonesia’s creative minds.

The increasingly popular Catalyst Art Market makes a return this year for its sixth annual event, maintaining its usual focus on the selling and buying of creative and artistic items from young entrepreneurs and amateur artists.

The event is run by Catalyst Arts, a movement (and website) that collects and promotes works by new illustrators and other kinds of visual artists.

The event — which will run for two days, from April 30 until May 1 at the Graha Purna Wira building in Dharmawangsa, South Jakarta — offers up a mix of its bazaar-like festivities and entertainment by musicians and other creative characters.

This year, some of these performers include hip, vinyl-based DJs, Dick Tamimi (a.k.a. underground music icon David Tarigan), Baba Masamichi, couples Ken Jenie and Mar Galo, Dua Sejoli and Dr. Satomata. Folky husband-wife duo Arireda will also perform a set of their nature-inspired acoustic ditties.

Raymond Malvin, the event’s cofounder, considers the event’s success a sign of Indonesians’ increasing appreciation of the creative art industry, in particular work involving strong visuals.

“This can be seen through the way more businesses are incorporating illustrations into their products, whether it’s brands, media or anything else,” he says, adding that the culture of collecting art-bound items had risen significantly, making it possible for artists and those working in the creative industry to thrive.

“What we try to do at Catalyst is to create and nurture this market, for young Indonesian artists and illustrators,” says Raymond.

The goal is to encourage even more productivity from the creative sector, creating what Raymond and fellow cofounder Patricia Wulandari call “creativepreneurs”.

The art market is hoped to become a hub for likeminded people not only to move items, but also to build a network that supports members economically and creatively — “an ecosystem that grows and continues organically”, says Patricia.

(Courtesy of Catalyst Arts)

“Through Catalyst Art Market, we want to make it easy for people who want to buy quality art to do so in a simple and affordable manner — whether it is for their own personal collection or if they want to buy gifts for their friends,” says Raymond.

The different kinds of art involved ensure, he says, a diverse experience that will satisfy everyone.

The event will also feature workshops, where those with an inclination for artistic pursuits will be able to get together and learn from more experienced illustrators. The workshops will be open to visitors of any age.

These workshops will include classes on tie dye with Eva Joewono; ceramics with Kirain Studio; lettering with Muli Ong; leather by Nerdmob; life drawing with Varsam Kurnia; marbling by Yonaz Kristy Sanjaya; and renjana by Zodiak Gembira.

“Visitors will thus be able to satisfy their creative urges,” explains Patricia.

The end goal is that the Catalyst Art Market will thrive through positive feedback, encouraging more illustrators and artists to join up for next year’s edition.

“Hopefully then, these products will not only be seen as being as good as imported and foreign products, but will become exported Indonesian works for the international market,” Patricia says.

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