"Look, this is an easy way to roll up a newspaper. Just roll it slowly," Bachruddin told participants recently at a workshop on how to make handicrafts from used newspaper.

The 20 students followed his instructions carefully. They were learning how to make a simple picture frame using old newspapers.

The workshop was part of an exhibition of Bachruddin's works at the Japan Foundation in Central Jakarta, which was held Nov. 2-7.

"I just want to encourage people to be creative with cheap, everyday materials like newspapers," said Bachruddin, a factory worker from Karang Anyar, Central Java.

Astrid, one of the workshop participants said, "It seems so easy, but believe me it is difficult to make one. You need extra energy to roll the newspaper until its shape is perfect."

Bachruddin was initially inspired by looking at loads of used newspapers around him. He thought, "Why not make something useful out of them?"

He then tried to use them to make many different creations. Once he had enough items, he was confident about promoting his works.

"I know the Japan Foundation has an interest in handicrafts. It often holds exhibitions for craftsmen like myself. I sent my proposal to them. After a year, they agreed to organize an exhibition for me," he told The Jakarta Post.

The foundation has a special program called NEOPion, which provides young Indonesian artists below 35 years of age the opportunity to display their works at the foundation exhibition hall free of charge.

"We hold several workshops and exhibitions every year for artists, mostly unpopular ones who never get the opportunity. After they show their work here, it is usually easier for them to offer their creative works to other parties," Diana Nugroho, the foundation's program officer, told the Post.

-- JP/naf

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