TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian senior book illustrator Ong Hari Wahyu relives the spirit of Indonesian people’s struggle to break free from 350-year Dutch colonization through his illustration art entitled ‘Nggugah Macan Turu’ (To Awakenen a Sleeping Tiger). Ong’s work is being displayed in a solo exhibition in Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta building until December 24.
In the exhibition entitled “Joyo Semoyo Meluniasi Janji’ , Ong re-made book cover illustrations that he had made in the past.
“Boook covers that have been published are re-interpreted and re-made,” said Ong in hihs opening speech on Tuesday.
In addition to his nationalism-promoting works, Ong also show off a sculpture art of Germany philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche. The sculpture is entitled ‘Turu Ngemper’ (literally translated as Sleeping on a Bench). In this art, Nietzsche is configured as curling on a bench. Ong had once worked on illustration for Nietzsche book. When he read the book again one day, he surprised that the Germany’s thought has similarities with Javanese teaching about peace and tranquility.
ANANG ZAKARIA