Justice for Water Paint

The emergence of memory sparks from dull and fragile material.

The unpopularity of water paint artworks turns for the best when a group of renowned painters produce in water paint. Nasirun and Entang Wiharso with their ever so expressive strikes presented unique figures. Nasirun in The Beach 1 and The Beach 2 seemed to very much enjoy the dissolving of water in the paint that gives out transparent effect. Nindityo Adipurnomo, whom lately is more known for his works in installations showcased the theme of identity and transculture issue in Mt Ancestor the Merchant; comprise of four panels. So was the provocative visualization of S Teddy D in Keep on Walk by History and Religiousity.

There was also Ugo Untoro, whom scratched The Very Straight Rainbow and The Black Was Born those conceptually brought up the subject of colors origin, also the naïve comical stylization Where is the Bali by Eddie Hara. And there were Putu Sutawijaya, Ivan Sagito, Agung Kurniawan, and Bunga Jeruk. It was so obvious that their spirit in the water paint artworks has not gone out. Their consistency even sparked new and interesting effects for water paint and oil paint have different characters.

This of course becomes a sort of battle chance for every painter. Even so, the challenge seemed to be faced through successfully and emerged the craftsmanship spirit of the artist. When the lasting, glossy and expensive oil paint has become a steady home, now memory sparks “come” with the dull and fragile water paint.

The display of numerous water paint artworks collection by Oei Hong Dijen has also become a whip for the present painters. In clarity the collection of Oei Hong Dijen affirmed that the water paint works by Affandi, Lee Man Fong, Wakidi, Rusli, Mochtar Apin, Sudjojono, to Antonio Blanco are terrific and must attain equal attention as their masterpieces.

Maybe the simple throw of the Syang Art Space owner Ridwan Muljosudarmo; that this exhibition is the attempt to “remind” is in fact true. Becuae no matter what, the art of water paint with all its limitations is a part of artworks that creation demands fulfillment on according aesthetic conditions. Justice for water paint, is our effort in making it last.