Indonesian Legendary Sculptor Tries to Survive Amid The Pandemic

Yudha Baskoro
July 14, 2020 | 9:01 pm
SHARE
Azmir Azhari, 67, an Indonesian legendary sculptor makes a scale model of Didi Kempot statue at his home in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta on Friday, July 10. (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)
Azmir Azhari, 67, an Indonesian legendary sculptor makes a scale model of Didi Kempot statue at his home in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta on Friday, July 10. (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)

Azmir Azhari (67), an Indonesian veteran sculptor, has been participating in a monument sculpture contest dedicated to late Javanese musician Didi Kempot on Friday (10/07). In his old day, Azmir lives with his wife in a rented house. He lost his source of income after the Ancol Art Market was closed since 2015. The old man is trying to survive amid the travel bans due to a pandemic that made him unable to get raw materials to make statues from Yogyakarta.

Mr. Azmir, as he loves to be called, is a pupil of the legendary monument statue maestro, Edhi Sunarso. Edhi Sunarso who was a lecturer at ASRI (Indonesian Academy of Fine Arts) saw the natural talent of young Azmir who was a painting major student at the time. "A painting must be dynamic, while yours is silent but have dimensions, you have to study sculpture", said Azmir while remembering his meeting with Edhi Sunarso in Yogyakarta back to 1973.

The Payakumbuh, West Sumatra born sculptor has made several statues for some collectors in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore. In his small yard at Kebun Jeruk, West Jakarta,  there are scale model statue of Prof. Dr. H. Tabrani Rab, Lis Shao Bo, and Taufik Kiemas. His most legendary works are the General Sudirman and the Muffler Man Statue in Purbalingga, Central Java and the Pesut Mahakam Statue in Samarinda, East Kalimantan.

"Indonesia doesn't have many realist sculptor," said Azmir. He pursues realist sculpture because he believes realist sculpture can educated young generations. "Realist sculpture can be a historical record. The faces, gestures and figures of the heroes can be seen clearly in 3D. Propotional! So, people will see, they will be amazed! This is my hero," Azmir said.

Indonesian Legendary Sculptor Tries to Survive Amid The Pandemic
Azmir Azhari stands in his front yard at his home in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta on Friday (10/07). (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)
Indonesian Legendary Sculptor Tries to Survive Amid The Pandemic
Digital photograph restoration - Young Azmir Azhari during the making of Pesut Mahakam statue at Samarinda, East Kalimantan. (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)
Indonesian Legendary Sculptor Tries to Survive Amid The Pandemic
Azmir Azhari's son shows an old photo of his father and President Soeharto at his home in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta on Friday (10/07). (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)
Indonesian Legendary Sculptor Tries to Survive Amid The Pandemic
Digital photograph restoration - Young Azmir Azhari during the making of Elang Bondol statue at Karang Tengah, Toll Road, Tangerang. (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)
Indonesian Legendary Sculptor Tries to Survive Amid The Pandemic
Archive - The restoration of General Sudirman statue in Purbalingga, Central Java. (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)
Indonesian Legendary Sculptor Tries to Survive Amid The Pandemic
Azmir Azhari creates a detail part of his recent art work at his home in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta on Friday (10/07). (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)
Indonesian Legendary Sculptor Tries to Survive Amid The Pandemic
Azmir Azhari small workshop at his home in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta on Friday (10/07). (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)
Indonesian Legendary Sculptor Tries to Survive Amid The Pandemic
A picture of Didi Kempot on the phone, as Azmir uses it to make a scale model of Didi Kempot statue at his home in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta on Friday (10/07). (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)
Indonesian Legendary Sculptor Tries to Survive Amid The Pandemic
A portrait of Azmir Azhari taken at his home in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta on Friday (10/07). (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)

 

Tags:
SHARE

The Latest


Tech 5 hours ago

Meta Brings Ads to WhatsApp

WhatsApp to show ads in its Updates tab as Meta seeks new revenue. Personal chats remain ad-free and end-to-end encrypted.
News 7 hours ago

Towering Banknotes on Display as AGO Seizes $728 Million in Palm Oil Graft

The AGO seizes $675 million from Wilmar units in CPO export graft case; judges accused of taking bribes to acquit firms
News 8 hours ago

Iran, A Country at War, Invites Prabowo for State Visit

Iranian envoy Mohammad Boroujerdi calls Prabowo as someone who is "very active in diplomacy".
News 8 hours ago

Bomb Threat Diverts Saudia Hajj Flight to Medan, No Explosives Found

A Saudia Airlines flight carrying 442 hajj pilgrims was diverted to Medan after a bomb threat; no explosives were found on board.
News 8 hours ago

Aceh Reclaims Disputed Islands Near Offshore Oil Blocks After Prabowo’s Decision

Jakarta rules in favor of Aceh in a century-old island dispute with North Sumatra near key oil and gas blocks, ending years of tension.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED