Presidential Palace To Hold An Art Collection Exhibition

Minister of Education and Culture, Head of Creative Economy Agency, and Head of Secretariat of the President after a joint press conference at National Gallery, Monday (31/7) (Photo: BPMI)

To commemorate the 72^nd Anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence, the Presidential Palace to hold again an exhibition of its art collection. This second exhibition is held to give an opportunity to the people to enjoy and to marvel at Palace’s art collection.

In a joint press conference at National Gallery, on Monday, 31 July 2017, the Head of Creative Economy Agency Triawan Munaf said that in a coordination meeting 2015, it has been decided that the Presidential Palace will be the Ultimate Showcase of Indonesian Culture.

“To be the ultimate showcase of Indonesian culture. To give access to, particularly, the paintings, thus, this exhibition was held last year. Last year, people were vey enthusiastic, hopefully this year they will be more enthusiastic,” Triawan said.

The art collection will exhibited for one month, from 2 to 30 August 2017 at National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta. The exhibition is scheduled to be officially opened on Tuesday, 1 August 2017.

“This exhibition is held to give opportunity to the people to enjoy the Palace’s collection. Last year, 26 paintings were showcased in the exhibiton. Meanwhile, this year’s exhibition showcases 48 paintings from 41 painters,” said the Head of the Secretariat of President Heru Budi Hartono.

Entitled “Senandung Ibu Pertiwi” (Tunes of the Motherland), The Presidential Palace would like to use this exhibition to present the image of natural phenomena and various perspectives of Indonesian people.

Minister of Tourims Arief Yahya said that 60 percent of tourism portfolia comes from culture and 30 percent from the nature. “The task of Ministry of Tourism is to make promotion to attract tourists to visit Indonesia, in particular to visit this painting exhibition,” Arief said.

Besides the paintings that usually decorate the Presidential Palaces in Jakarta, Bogor, Cipanas, Yogyakarta, and Bali, this exhibition will also display important archives and documents about presidential palaces.

“During one month, there are other activities to be held, such as a painting workshop with disabled community on 10 August, a discussion on protecting the Motherland on 19 August, national collective painting competition on 26 August, and a workshop to be an appreciator on 29 August, as well as an exhibition tour with the curators every Saturday and Sunday,” Heru Budi Hartono added.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy said that his ministry really supports this exhibition. “Ministry of Education and Culture will circulate a letter to schools in Greater Jakarta to bring their students to learn from these paintings,” Muhadjir said.

For the record, the theme of the exhibition “Senandung Ibu Pertiwi” comprises of four categories. The first category is diversity of the nature that will display 12 paintings of natural scenery. “Harimau Minum” (A Tiger Drinks) by Raden Saleh in one of iconic paintings in this category.

The second category is about daily activities of Indonesian people. There are 11 paintings in this category which one of the main paintings is “Lelang Ikan” (Fish Auction) by Itji Tarmidzi.

The third category is tradition and identity. This category will dispaly 15 paintings that illustrates Indonesia’s tradition and culture identity. A painting by Barli Sasmitawinata which titled “Perempuan Berkebaya” (A Women Wearing Kebaya) will take the people’s breath away.

The last category is about solemn in belief. This category, that will showcase 10 paintings, will try to show the values of belief that become the strength of Indonesia. “Nyai Roro Kidul” by Basoeki Abdullah becomes one of phenomenal works in this category. (SETPRES/EN) (MMB/YM/Naster)