TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's veteran painter Soetopo, one of the remaining four artists of Pelukis Rakyat (The People's Painter), held a solo exhibition for the first time. Displaying a concrete statue of a man with sideburns, the statue was Soetopo’s classic work entitled Kawan, made back in 1961.
'Melintasi Jaman' (Across Generations) Exhibition is held at Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta from April 15 to 19. The exhibition, displaying artworks of the 84 years old painter, will then continue in Galeri Kemang of Jakarta, on April 28 to May 24.
Back in 1947, Soetopo, along with his friends Edhi and Joyo, were a part of Pelukis Rakyat, a group of artists that helped support Soekarno’s “mercusuar” (lighthouse) project. One of their grand design is the statue on Hotel Indonesia Roundabout.
Out of dozens of members, there are only four still alive. Soetopo, having taken the exhibition, managed to collect his artwork collections of three statues, eight sketches, and 24 paintings, with the oldest being made in 1960.
ANANG ZAKARIA