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Bersama by KamiSketsa: Re-sketching Indonesia’s urban landscapes
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Eye for juxtaposition: A wall display shows (from left) ‘Sirih Lurik’ by Eti Handayani, ‘Untitle’ by Elvin Emeraldo and ‘Gupala’ by Yuwono Heri “Erik” Kusworo in the Bersama exhibition that runs through Feb. 23, 2023 at the National Gallery, which features the works of artists grouped in the KamiSketsa community. (JP/Tunggul Wirajuda)
(JP/Tunggul Wirajuda)
T
he sketch artists grouped in KamiSketsa 's capture the quieter, more tranquil sides to Jakarta and other cities that are often drowned out by the hustle and bustle of urban life across the nation.
The Art Deco spires of the Metropole movie theater jut into the Jakarta skyline, its distinctive lines captured in Chinese ink and pen on paper in Megaria/Metropol by sketch artist Budiman.
The drawing’s ethereal lines seem to convey an idealized, halcyon take of the historical Jakarta landmark from simpler days gone by, but a glance at its foreground shows otherwise. The row of gridlocked cars is an all too familiar sight, as is the motorcycle zipping past the quiet road in the opposite direction.
Fellow artist Avisa Azalia’s Simatupang is less sparing with her depiction of the Central Business District (CBD) along South Jakarta’s Jl. Simatupang. The graphite and watercolor rendition of anonymous high rises and traffic aptly portrays how individuals can be rendered impersonal by the daily grind in the Indonesian capital.
Chronicling urban life
Megaria/Metropol and Simatupang are among the works showcased in Bersama (Togetherness), a group exhibition featuring artists from the National Gallery’s KamiSketsa sketching community, which was founded in October 2017.
Bersama curator Alam Wisesha noted that the 34 sketches in the exhibit highlighted the commonality of the group, whose name was a portmanteau of Kamis (Thursday) and Sketsa (sketch), because they met every Thursday at the gallery to draw, socialize and exchange tips.
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