TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A painter from Solo,Central Java, Saifuddin Hafiz portrayed the well-known Indonesian human right activist Munir’s biography on his canvas. The paintings are being exhibited under the title of ‘Melawan Lupa’ (Refuse to Forget) at Lokananta Solo Recording Company.
One hundred paintings were prepared in 20 months using magazines and books as references. The books and magazines are hung inside a small room as an installation art.
At a closer look, all paintings have something in common. They are focused on Munir’s face. But, Saifuddin fused various combinations to avoid monotone impression to the man with mustache. In one painting Munir’s face is dominated with blue color with a fetus on his forehead.
The main star of the exhibition is the painting entitled ‘Sejarah di Wajah’ (History in a Face). Saifuddin depicted the life journey of Munir since birth to his death. The biography is told through a series of five art pieces on a canvas that is hanging in the voyeur. Under the painting lays a pile of earth with an egg rest on top of it. Saifuddin tried to tell the birth of Munir through this painting.
Saifuddin has been creating visual arts related to humanism, democracy and freedom of expression issues. The exhibition at Lokananta becomes his first time focusing on a public figure. To the 44-year-old man, Munir has become a symbol that represents all his angst.
AHMAD RAFIQ