Indonesian watercolor artist Irwan Widjayanto draws inspiration for his gorgeous-hued paintings from observations of daily life on Bali. (JG Photos/Katrin Figge)
The uniqueness of Bali and its rich traditions and culture have inspired many artists, both local and foreign, in their works. Among them is Irwan Widjayanto, an Indonesian painter who was born in Surabaya but found himself drawn to the beauty of the island and made it his preferred subject.
His works can now be seen at Dialectic of Beauty, a solo exhibition at Phthalo Aquarelle Gallery in Kemang.
The gallery was opened in August 2008 with the aim to promote watercolor artists — often regarded as inferior to those working with oils — in the country.
“By showing Irwan’s works at Phthalo Gallery, we hope to increase the appreciation of watercolor paintings in Jakarta,” Phthalo owner Elia Aryanus wrote in the foreword of the exhibition’s catalogue.
Irwan’s paintings spoil the eyes. He depicts Balinese beauties, mostly young women with dark skin tones and soft facial features, some of them smiling, others dreamily gazing into the distance.
In some of his works, the girls are depicted naked. One can be seen from the back, showing off her lean figure, while another one lies on her back, two white flowers tangled in her long black hair.
Arie Smit, a Dutch-born Indonesian painter living in Bali, said that “realism in art will always be with us. Irwan’s watercolors are such communications and we feel happy on the receiving end.”
Irwan also depicts scenes of everyday life on the island. Children playing with cats, becak drivers reading the newspaper and elder Balinese women in traditional clothing performing religious dances.
Irwan’s most unique work in this exhibition, titled “Siap Bertarung” (Ready to Fight), consists of two separate paintings meant to be viewed together. Both show Balinese men in dark blue sarongs, a white shirt and udeng , the traditional head cloth for men on the island. They each hold roosters armed with sharp metal spurs attached to their right legs, prepared to do battle in a blood sport.
Even though cockfights were officially banned by the Indonesian government in 1981 in an effort to stop gambling, they are still widely practiced throughout the island, with the argument that they are ancient rituals that ward off evil spirits.
“These were painted from real life,” gallery staffer Fitri said. “He has been to this particular cockfight and painted the owners of the roosters.”
“The brown-colored one lost,” she added with a laugh.
One could argue that Irwan’s paintings lack social commentary and criticism. But when it comes to art, fortunately there are no rules, and how lucky for the artist to be surrounded by beauty. After all, the show is dubbed Dialectic of Beauty, and Irwan stays true to this title by letting us see the beauty of Bali through his eyes.
As curator Bambang Asrini Widjanarko put it: “Irwan’s solo exhibition generally shows that genuine art always carries a sense of beauty that amazes us.”
Dialectic of Beauty
Watercolor paintings by Irwan Widjayanto
Through April 25
Phthalo Aquarelle Gallery
Jl. Kemang Selatan 8 No. C4-3
South Jakarta
Tel. 021 718 2587
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