The show is also Laksmi’s debut for bronze sculptures, a result of her latest creative explorations. Among the most remarkable in the sculpture works is The Winner, featuring a nude à la Columbian master Botero, as well as the president in the zodiac of the goat and a baby lying on a leaf.
A graduate of the Yogyakarta Arts Institute, Laksmi Shitaresmi, who used to paint for therapy, now seems to have reached a level where her creative urges are leading her to the adventure of other mediums, such as sculpture. Surely she will proceed further, and we wait to see her next exhibition
Edwin’s Gallery celebrates its 25th anniversary with an exhibition that opened Wednesday at the National Gallery. The exhibition, titled “Silverlinings”, has both works from the gallery’s collection, showing the path of artists who have been connected to the gallery for some time, and new works by selected artists.
Edwin’s gallery, owned by Edwin Rahardjo, has long been a staunch promoter of Indonesian artists locally and internationally. Edwin, who studied art and architecture in the US, was a photographer and collector when he set up a photography studio in 1980. In 1984, however, he decided to open a gallery specializing in graphic works from the colonial era. To allow access to as many people as possible, he then made postcards of the works, as well as developing a framing business. He proceeded to hold exhibitions of Indonesian greats such as Ahmad Sadali in 1985, after the gallery moved to Kemang.
Over time, Edwin’s Gallery has become a pioneer. Not only did he initiate “small is beautiful” exhibitions of small-scale works, his gallery was also the first to hold an exhibition of contemporary Chinese artists, and the first to give a boost to Indonesian contemporary sculptors by holding a sculpture exhibition at a time when the public was not yet interested in this area of the arts.
Continuously renovating the building of his gallery, Edwin Rahardjo, supported by his wife Listya and son Kevin, is now working on setting up a museum at his place in Kemang.
It is hoped that other galleries will follow suit in developing and promoting contemporary art in the country. Congratulations to the Rahardjo family — may the gallery continue to be a lighting beam in the world of art.
The emergence of d’Peak gallery, which officially opened at Jl. RS Fatmawati 56 on Aug. 7, is certainly a good sign for artists who will now have plenty of space to showcase their works. A former Volvo showroom, d’Peak has a space of 3,000 square meters spread over three floors. The renovated construction includes glass doors, but has retained its former architecture.
The gallery’s owner, Andi Bintoro, who spoke at the opening of the exhibition “Up and Hope”, added he had also opened an art space with the same name in Singapore. Bintoro said he hoped to be able to bring Indonesian works abroad, while also revealing his intent to hold local auctions every three or four months. The inaugural exhibition has 129 artists participating with more than 200 works
