The beauty and mysterious expression of women, the country's recent social and political situation as well as colorful Brazilian fish are some of the many themes influencing Sri Warso Wahono's latest solo exhibition, his 15th solo exhibition so far.

Dozens of Warso's artworks are exhibited at Galeri Cipta II at Jakarta's arts center Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) in Central Jakarta between June 4 and 12.

The event, which also marks 47 years of his professional fine art career, is his first solo exhibition in eight years. Slightly different from his previous solo exhibitions, Warso has not limited his latest exhibition to any particular themes.

"I want to free myself from all limitations, including themes. I just want to show people who Sri Warso Wahono really is, telling people I'm still here, creating art by applying my paintbrushes on canvas," said Warso recently.

He said he wanted to prove he was still able to stand tall in this competitive and modern world where high-technology played a big role.

"Hopefully, I can encourage my colleagues, who might no longer be creating fine arts, as well as young painters to create more and more," he said.

The 61-year-old painter has covered many themes through his work since he started to paint in 1962, picked from the animal world, to flora and landscapes, using abstract as well as realistic methods of expression.

His latest creations mostly depict Indonesia's recent social and highly sensitive political situation, his way of expressing his criticism of the country.

Artworks Lelepah (anger) and aluamah (greed), Warso said, are suitable to represent the country's tense situation, as many Indonesians now get angry easily and take everything into their own hands.

The Lapindo tragedy and fuel price increase, which have both inflicted harsh blows to powerless and low-income people, also caught Warso's attention, resulting in paintings titled Rampogan (Robber), from Garbang Negeri Rampogan (the Gate of the Robber's Country), Rampogan Lapindo (Lapindo Robbers) and Rampogan BBM (Fuel Robbers).

Besides displaying very critical paintings, he also brings in his other collections, including sketches of women that were first exhibited in 2001. The women are alone, sitting on chairs or beds in a room with a lonely and fatigued expression.

Art aficionados may also notice the presence of fish throughout the exhibition. Warso was inspired by his visit to Brazil a few years back where he saw colorful fish, inspiring him to embody them on his canvas.

Paintings titled Aquarium Purba (Ancient Aquarium) and Ikan Dalam Blue Batu (Fish in Blue Rocks) are a few of his fish-inspired works.

"The fish were really spectacular and beautiful. They were always on my mind until now, influencing my paintings, for instance Panen Ikan *Fish Harvests*," he said.

Born in Surakarta, Central Java, in 1948, Warso has carried out 15 solo exhibitions since 1972 and dozens of joint exhibitions across the country and abroad.

Some of his works were exhibited at the Biennale International in Egypt and Poland, the ASEAN Fine Art Exhibition and an exhibition in Washington DC, the United States.

Warso is also a well-known fine arts commentator. Since he moved to the capital in 1976, he has worked in some of the city's museums as a curator, as well as being a part of the city tourism agency's expert team.

Between 1985 and 1996, he was a member of the Jakarta Arts Council's executive board, while four years ago, he was appointed artistic consultant for the Jakarta Arts Center.

The works of Sri Warso Wahono

Galeri Cipta II, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM)

Jl Cikini Raya No.73, Central Jakarta

June 4-12

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