In the Late Keng, a Master in Coaxing Beauty From Clay
The grins are frozen on the ceramic faces, rendering them comical, grotesque caricatures. Among them is a self-portrait of their creator, renowned Indonesian ceramics artist Keng Sien, who died last year at age 60, as well as a set called "Three Laughing Faces Nos. 1, 2 and 3."
Etched out of stone, raku ware (a type of Japanese pottery), and bisque, or unglazed pottery, the faces reflect their creator's take on life and the human condition.
"Keng Sien had a cynical, darkly humorous view of life, as he liked to laugh at himself and others," says curator Nirwan Dewanto. "He also liked to share his thoughts with his viewers, whether it be in the galleries where he exhibited his works, or at the studio where he made his art on Jalan Lombok in Menteng."
Seemingly random slogans shout out at the viewers, exhorting them to be strong and toughen up through prayer and exercise. While much of the words reflect Keng's views on ceramics and art, others just seem to be his effort at motivating, or poking fun at motivational speakers and preachers.
The laughing faces and words are part of "University of Rest and Relax," a retrospective of Keng's works at the Salihara cultural center in South Jakarta.
"Keng Sien pioneered what was called contemporary ceramic art, a term coined by a group of artists who graduated from the Bandung Institute of Technology [ITB] like Asmudjo Jono Irianto and others," Nirwan says.
"His style was unique and unorthodox, as he didn't use a [ceramics] wheel like his contemporaries such as Hilda and Sujana. While the latter two were also innovative in making ceramic art, such as installation work and paintings, their respective nude and abstract motifs have enough shape to be thought of as 'modern ceramics.' Keng Sien, on the other hand, hardened his figures at low temperatures, giving them an asymmetrical, twisted and warped, yet natural and organic look."
Nirwan says Keng brought this method with him upon his return from Belgium in 1983, where he studied ceramics at university.
"Ties to the land is a recurring motif for Keng Sien's later works. He often went to areas in West Java and Banten provinces to gather stones and minerals to make urns and vases," Nirwan says.
These elements are seen in his works " Ombak Bumi " ("Waves of the Earth") and " Nasib Orangutan " ("Fate of the Orangutan"). The former's hues vary from a consistent dark blue shade to lighter dynamic crests. The contrasts recall the waves of the ocean, and show that the Earth is just as changeable despite its stable appearance. The second piece evokes the land through its use of bisque and wood. Its stance of being nearly flat against the land, as if to disappear entirely from it, reminds one that the orangutan is a species on the fast track to extinction.
"University of Rest and Relax" also features a workshop held by the Bandung-based Kandura ceramics company, which is better known as a manufacturer of ceramic household items. Participants at the exhibition can get a better feel of working with ceramics as they pour the clay mixture into a cast for mugs. The process tests the participants' patience, as they have to periodically pour the liquid ceramic mix to give the piece the proper thickness and consistency.
"Kandura is holding the workshop at the 'University of Rest and Relax' as an homage to Keng Sien, as well as to share the enthusiasm we have for ceramics with the wider public," says Fauzy Prasetya, who founded Kandura with a group of fellow ITB graduates in 2005.
"We're also holding the workshop to recognize [Keng's] place as a proponent of ceramics as an art. We were taught by him in various capacities, which in my case was a monthlong workshop.
"That experience, as well as seeing him work and explain the finer points of ceramics firsthand, left a lasting impression and affirmed our wish to move in the field."
The workshop has managed to pass on the ceramics bug to others.
"Working with ceramics is a one-of-a-kind experience, as one gets to feel the work in our hands," says workshop participant Bobby Satria, a cartoonist by day.
"It also bolsters my wish to work in the field, as I did once want to start up in the ceramics business with some of my friends."
But whether one seeks to fashion ceramics into art or utilitarian items, there's little doubt that Keng's legacy is here to stay.
The Peak University of Rest and Relax
Through March 29
Galeri Salihara,Jalan Salihara No. 16, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta
Tel.: 021 7891202Web: Salihara.orgFacebook: SaliharaTwitter: @salihara
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