Tarko Sudiarno

“If only papi [father] were still alive, he would have loved to see a children learning to paint here,” Kartika Affandi told students who were set to visit the Affandi Museum in Yogyakarta.

The Education and Culture Ministry sent dozens of high school students from various cities to participate in a program called Learning From the Maestro in Yogyakarta earlier this month.

One of the maestros participating in the program was Nasirun, who taught the students about legendary Indonesian artist Affandi.

 At the Affandi Museum, participating students met Kartika, Affandi’s eldest daughter.

“I want to introduce them to Indonesian artists. The late Affandi was the real maestro. I am nothing compared to him,” Nasirun said with a laugh.

At the museum, which was once Affandi’s home and is located along the Gajah Uwong riverbank, the students visited the maestro’s grave.

They also observed his masterpieces and even had the chance to learn how to paint a model.

Nasirun praised the government program, but acknowledged several flaws in its execution.

“I am so glad that students are learning about arts and culture. I remember our founding president Sukarno said it was more difficult to produce artist than engineers. Therefore, I welcome these students as they learn about art,” he said.

The program was conducted simultaneously by 20 artists across Indonesia, including dancer Didiek Nini  Thowok, drummer Gilang Ramadhan, puppeteer Manteb Soedharsono, author Ayu Laksmi, musician Djaduk Ferianto, painter Djoko Pekik, artist Arief Yudi, illustration artist Putu Sutawijaya, theater artist Dindon WS, dancer-choreographer Miroto, scanographist Angki Purbandono, Balinese dancers Ni Nyoman Tjandri and Ni Ketut Arini, Indramayu mask dancer Wangi Indriya, painter and installation artist Hanafi, guitarist Irwansyah Harahap, litterateur Iswadi Pratama, photographer Fendi Siregar, Balinese puppeteer Made Sidia and Nasirun himself. [yan]