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'Book of Beasts' exhibit explores Goenawan Mohamad’s joy of the unexpected
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Two masters: Writer and arts patron Goenawan Mohamad works with master printmaker Devy Ferdianto of the DEVFTO Printmaking Institute in Ubud, Bali. (Courtesy of DEVFTO) (Personal collection/Courtesy of DEVFTO)
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enowned poet, essayist, playwright and editor Goenawan Mohamad presents his first exhibition of prints, created during his artist-in-residence program at the DEVFTO Printmaking Institute.
Goenawan Mohamad's Kitab Hewan: Book of Beasts exhibition is open from Feb. 3 to March 5 at Sika Gallery in Ubud, Bali, featuring a collection of his prints as an outcome of a residency program at the DEVFTO Printmaking Institute.
“Prior to the pandemic, I knew nothing about printmaking, even though I greatly appreciated the [artistic] genre. Then, while attending an exhibition in Ubud in April 2021, I met Devy Ferdianto, Indonesia’s master printmaker, and I wanted to learn from him,” Goenawan told The Jakarta Post.
“I have been drawing since I was a child. It is an intimate experience that I enjoy. The creative flow between my writing and drawing is smooth. I can draw spontaneously and quickly, yet cannot write poetry quickly. The emotions and feelings are, however, consistent,” said the founder and editor of Tempo Magazine and outspoken government critic, who was born in Jakarta in 1941.
Goenawan is also recognized for his support of the visual arts as the founder of the Salihara Arts Center in Jakarta.
“Five years ago, I exhibited [my] sketches in Yogyakarta. Since then, I have been encouraged to participate in more exhibitions, and I began to relearn my skills in oil painting,” he said.
