Goenawan Mohamad's Kitab Hewan: Book of Beasts exhibition is open from Feb. 3 to March 5 at Sika Gallery in Ubud, Bali, featuring a collection of his prints as an outcome of a residency program at the DEVFTO Printmaking Institute.

“Prior to the pandemic, I knew nothing about printmaking, even though I greatly appreciated the [artistic] genre. Then, while attending an exhibition in Ubud in April 2021, I met Devy Ferdianto, Indonesia’s master printmaker, and I wanted to learn from him,” Goenawan told The Jakarta Post.

“I have been drawing since I was a child. It is an intimate experience that I enjoy. The creative flow between my writing and drawing is smooth. I can draw spontaneously and quickly, yet cannot write poetry quickly. The emotions and feelings are, however, consistent,” said the founder and editor of Tempo Magazine and outspoken government critic, who was born in Jakarta in 1941.

Goenawan is also recognized for his support of the visual arts as the founder of the Salihara Arts Center in Jakarta.

“Five years ago, I exhibited [my] sketches in Yogyakarta. Since then, I have been encouraged to participate in more exhibitions, and I began to relearn my skills in oil painting,” he said.

In October 2021, Goenawan began an artist-in-residence program at the DEVFTO Printmaking Institute at Sika Gallery in Ubud. He returned to the institute in March-April and December 2022 to continue his residency, learning the etching techniques of intaglio, lithography and aquatint under the supervision of Devy Ferdianto, the institute’s founder.

Born in West Java in 1968, the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) graduate has also studied at institutions in Germany and Canada. He has lectured and freelanced his skills and knowledge at universities and other organizations across Indonesia.

With over 30 years of experience under his belt, Devy established the DEVFTO Printmaking Institute in 2021. The institute is unique in that it researches the many technical aspects of the art form, and has highly specific and varied knowledge of printmaking techniques and materials.

The Book of Beasts printmaking exhibit showcases over 40 small and medium lithography and intaglio prints on paper. Animals, angels and various archetypical creatures that blur the line between human and beast come to life through the monochrome images. Goenawan has set out with no preconceived ideas, only following his intuition. The outcome reveals spontaneous, often mysterious pictures derived from the depths of his psyche, his subconscious “speaking” through the creative process.

The colors in the prints range from the white of the paper to shades from grey to black. Black, however, is not static and has the power to recede from and advance toward the eye, giving the works a fascinating visual tension. The interaction between dark and light is not only dualistic in tonality, but also in the works’ metaphorical content. The dynamic between abstract imagery and recognizable forms makes Goenawan’s compositions rich with suggestive power that ignites the imagination.

Para Katak (The frogs) is an enigmatic and intriguing image depicting frogs. The top third features a powerful black negative space that draws the eye into the picture. This void contrasts with the remaining components, in which nondescript imagery produces a delicate sense of movement.

Melihat Bayang (Seeing shadows) depicts a figure in contemplation, gazing over their shoulder at shadows cast by a small figure dancing, raising a hand with splayed fingers. Perhaps Goenawan has unwittingly created a self-portrait of himself pondering his shadow self.

In contrast, Ular Ular (Snakes) is a balanced and lively image, simplistic in its description of three snakes that could be dinosaurs, which appear to be playing with balls. This lighthearted aspect contrasts with the snakes’ often frightening demeanor.

“It’s been ideal here in Ubud, away from Jakarta, exploring this new creative avenue. The printing processes are a lot of fun,” said Goenawan.

“I discovered new experiences, watching and learning from the DEVFTO team. Devy is an excellent teacher, very skilled, knowledgeable, passionate and humble.”

Continuing, he urged artists to “learn this ancient skill, which can help complement their other practices. You must have patience and also trust Devy and his team. I urge people to visit DEVFTO, observe and learn.

“The facility has generated great interest from people in Jakarta. The fact that there are few venues to learn printmaking, however, is a puzzle. Devy’s initiative to create a printmaking center in Indonesia is a wonderful idea.”

Goenawan also spoke about his fascination with the tactile techniques of printmaking techniques: “Chemistry is involved in working in the print medium. The monochromatic range in the intaglio, lithography and aquatint techniques suits me well, with my tendency toward monochromes and variations of light and darkness.

“Learning the process of [etching] a metal plate with a knife to make the foundation for the printed images, however, is challenging. The control over the knife is never consistent. It may slip, and the unexpected results make the process thrilling. You must be prepared for surprises. I like surprises,” he noted.

“The unknown creative element in printmaking is exciting. We have no control. That is what I call beauty. The most beautiful part of the technique is its unpredictability. The surprises are aesthetically captivating and absorb the imagination. The joy of the unexpected keeps you endlessly fascinated.”

Indonesian contemporary printmaking entered an exciting new era in 2020, when Devy, its catalyst, worked as a master printmaker at the Black Hand Gang printmaking studio in Ubud before going on to establish DEVFTO in 2021.

Today, DEVFTO is seeing more and more visitors, while leading galleries from Java are sending their artists to participate in the institute’s artist-in-residence program. This fascinating genre allows all participants to learn and experiment with their new skills, while offering expansive opportunities for the Indonesian art market via affordable art prints.

Kitab Hewan: Book of Beasts

A printmaking exhibition by Goenawan Mohamad

Feb. 3-March 5 2023

Sika Gallery

Jl. Raya Campuhan

Ubud, Bali

Open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

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