Subandi shows old sketches drawn on a piece of paper. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
Subandi shows a copy of a glass painting that is now an archive of his work. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
The glass painting making process includes attaching a sketch under the glass in an upside down position. The sketch became a guide for painting on glass. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
The appearance of Subandi Giyanto's studio next to his house in Bangunjiwo, Bantul, Yogyakarta. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
The detailing process in the glass painting titled “Ajining diri dumunung ing lathi”. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
Subandi supervises the coating process of glass paintings with spray paint by his students. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
The finished glass paintings are ready though they are not framed yet. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
One of Subandi's experimental works by uniting three cultural phases: primitive, classic and modern. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
Subandi also creates postcards for his customers. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
Subandi stands in his terrace, wearing a T-shirt and sarong which became his favorite clothes when painting. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
Some of Subandi's works are waiting to be brought and exhibited in art galleries. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
Subandi and his friends are ready to load his works on a pickup car for the exhibition in the art gallery. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
Wayang (puppet) is the identity of Subandi Giyanto’s work. The 61-year-old paintings do not only have wayang characters but also combined with Javanese wise words. Ajining diri dumunung ing lathi (pure personality is reflected in words/actions), Becik ketitik ala ketara (good or bad deeds will eventually be visible), Aja luntur ing panggoda (don’t easily be tempted), Ojo nyedak kebo gupak (pick your friends or foes), Aja adigang adigung adiguna (do not solely rely on strength, power and intelligence) are some of Javanese wise words that characterize Subandi's glass painting works.
In his glass painting, Subandi tends to us Gareng and Petruk characters from Punakawan. Gareng is symbolized as a person who is small, poor and weak, while Petruk is a tall, big, strong and rich. Like the painting "Ajining Diri Dumunung ing Lathi" which is being worked on, the figure of Petruk, dressed in an official style, is being spoken with loudspeakers.
"This painting is about people's representatives (caleg) who sell their promises a lot, their work is incompetent, but they demand high salaries”, Subandi said while focusing on putting ink on the glass in his studio in Bangunjiwo, Bantul, Yogyakarta.
Subandi's glass painting is a satire that reflects the current state of life in Indonesia. Indonesia's socio-political situation becomes its reference to work. The political situation which is currently heating up is transformed into a visual form of wayang plays and combined with Javanese wise words.
"In addition to criticizing socio-political conditions in Indonesia, my painting is an effort to preserve wayang and Javanese wise words so that they are not lost in times,” explained the graduate of IKIP Yogyakarta Fine Arts. [yan]
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