TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Austrian government is helping restore some paintings of Indonesian painting maestro Affandi, Antara News reported.
“Last February we have brought experts from Austria to Yogyakarta to review which paintings in need of restoration,” Austrian Ambassador for Indonesia Andreas Karabaczek said in a statement after meeting Vice President Jusuf Kalla in the office of the Vice President.
He said that in the long run it will require more than just a work restoration and suggesting modernization of Affandi Museum in the Yogyakarta Province.
The modernization meant includes the use of green building concept in harmony with environmental preservation efforts.
Dewi Fortuna Anwar, Deputy Secretary Vice President of Political affairs, said the cooperation to restore paintings of Affandi is expected to be expanded, including in the form of art restoration training.
Dewi admitted that some museums are poorly maintained and the government’s ability to support museum maintenance is still limited.
“The help from Austria will not suffice, but there should be a partnership from foreign countries in addition to cooperation with external parties,” said Dewi.
ANTARA NEWS | MARYATI
