There are two factors for the Javanese community when exercising their traditional mores. The first objective is to gain a peaceful life, both physically and spiritually. For Javanese, conducting a traditional ceremony is to meet one’s spiritual need, so that he/she would remember the Almighty (eling marang purwa daksina). The mystical (kebatinan) tradition of the Javanese people is basically based on the spiritual belief that is decorated with a traditional value.
The second objective is to mingle with others, willingly and sincerely for a common advantage (lila lan legawa kanggo mulyaning negara). In addition, a traditional rite also helps people to have a collective working ethics, that is reflected in the expression mutual assistance (gotong-royong/ nyambut gawe). In various opportunities, the traditional rite is conducted by involving many people.
It is so obvious that the life of Javanese community is filled with rituals. It is the richness of values in the rituals that has made Rudy Mardijanto interested in making them a subject matter in his paintings.
Observing Rudy’s works attentively is like watching a series of slides portraying a complete series of the life of Javanese community. In his works, Rudy uses not only big ritual themes but also jags and records simple sides of daily activities, such as handicraft making activity, or activity and ambience in a traditional market.
Besides, during big events like a wedding ceremony, Rudy portrays the procession in detail, such as siraman, sungkeman, tanggapan (entertainment), etc. In each of his work, there is a characteristic that has become his style in describing a figure. A figure is always present with big black eyes and thick lips that are sticking out. It is this style that makes people called him “The Sticking Out Rudy” (Rudy Monyong). In addition, Rudy’s work usually depicted colossal scenes. Tens even hundreds of figures filled in his canvases.
His fascination with the lives of the Javanese community is strongly related to Rudy’s life story; born in Blora, Central Java in 1967, did his undergraduate in ISI Yogyakarta, and this made him close to the life of Javanese community. We can say that the portrait of Javanese community is the portrait of his own life. A ritual and daily activities of a community he involves in.
Unfortunately his works are not yet appreciated in the country’s fine arts market. On the other hand, they are quite highly appreciated in the neighboring countries like Malaysia and Singapore. It is not easy to understand; other people admire the traditional values of this country, but people of this country do not really appreciate them. On 2007 and 2008 Rudy, supported by H Galeri had a chance to hold an exhibition in Malaysia and Singapore. It was a great success, since all of his works that he exhibited were sold out.
Still promoted by H Galeri, Rudy will hold his second exhibition in Singapore. On April 2009 he will held an exhibition titled Jagade Wong Jowo (The World of The Javanese).
Photo: source
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