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Celebration of watercolors at Balai Soedjatmoko
Indonesian Watercolor Painters Community (Kolcai) held an exhibition showcasing more than 90 works.
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'Alam Tenganan Bali' (A glimpse of Tenganan village in Bali) by Moelyoto (JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi)
A number of watercolor paintings were exhibited at Balai Soedjatmoko in Surakarta, Central Java, earlier in July.
Carrying the theme “Cinta Warna Nusantara” (Love of the archipelago’s colors), more than 90 paintings by artists hailing from various places, including Nepal and Thailand, were exhibited at the exhibition.
The exhibiting artists are members of the Indonesian Watercolor Painters Community (Kolcai), established in 2012. Around 25,000 artists are members of Kolcai, divided into 16 chapters throughout Indonesia.
True to its theme, the exhibition portrays the diversity of Indonesia covering art, culture, tradition, tourism and way of life. Diversity is also visible through the different styles and techniques employed by the artists.
Kolcai head Candra Martoyo said the exhibition aimed to provide a stage for watercolor artists. The art has been less popular, although he sees that Indonesia’s watercolor paintings have been getting more international exposure over the past few years.
Kolcai was, therefore, established to serve as the center of information, learning and exploration of watercolor art.
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Among the highlighted works are ‘Tari Rejang di Pura Samuan Tiga’ (Rejang dance at Samuan Tiga temple) by SNK Sutama, which depicts a ritual in a Hindu temple. The watercolors were brushed lightly, dominated by white, yellow and red.
Another highlight is Agus Tomin’s ‘Wayang Krucil’ (Krucil puppet), inspired by Blora, Central Java puppets. This type of puppet was initially made of leather, but it shifted to wood and became known as wayang Klithik.
The exhibition is well-appreciated by attendees. Rahyu, a visitor to the exhibition, said that the watercolor paintings were no less beautiful than oil paintings.
Kolcai also interacted with watercolor enthusiasts through a discussion, workshop and painting class at Loji Gandrung, the mayor’s official residence. (mut)
