Film Dokumenter Biografi, "Pelukis Sepuh Kota Malang" Karya Charis Setyawan

Summary

This video features Drs. Sunari, an Indonesian artist, sharing his deep connection to Javanese culture and his journey in the arts. He reflects on his upbringing in a family of diverse craftsmen and his diverse influences, from painting and teaching to traditional Javanese dance and wayang. Sunari highlights the rich cultural heritage of Indonesia, emphasizing the importance of preserving and sharing traditional art forms. His works often blend social and political themes with Javanese symbolism, and he stresses the moral and spiritual messages embedded in Javanese culture. Sunari’s passion for Indonesian arts is evident as he explains the cultural significance and lessons inherent in traditional performances like wayang kulit.

Takeaways

• 😀 Indonesia is a country rich in arts, culture, and diversity, with its unique traditions attracting both locals and foreigners.
• 😀 Dr. Sunari, an artist and educator, shares his journey of growing up in a family immersed in arts and crafts.
• 😀 His grandfather, a versatile craftsman and architect, inspired Sunari's passion for various artistic professions such as painting, sculpting, and woodworking.
• 😀 Sunari's artwork often carries themes of traditional Javanese culture, such as dance, wayang (puppet shows), politics, and social issues.
• 😀 Even though his themes may touch on social criticism or politics, Sunari incorporates Javanese symbols to convey deeper cultural meanings.
• 😀 One of his key themes in art involves portraying the battle between good and evil, using Javanese wayang and mask symbolism to teach moral lessons.
• 😀 The Javanese cultural values, like calmness, reflection, and humility, play a central role in Sunari's artwork, as seen in his depictions of patience and introspection.
• 😀 Sunari believes that Indonesian art, especially Javanese art, carries profound moral and spiritual messages, far beyond mere visual representation.
• 😀 He also emphasizes the importance of traditional arts, including dance and wayang, in preserving and transmitting Javanese culture and values.
• 😀 Sunari's perspective is that art, for him, is not about the commercial value but about expressing and preserving cultural wisdom, with success being a byproduct of his passion.

Q & A

What is the primary reason Dr. Sunari is passionate about Indonesian culture?

Dr. Sunari is passionate about Indonesian culture because of its rich diversity, with a variety of ethnicities, languages, and most notably, its wealth of art and traditions. He believes that Indonesia's cultural richness is something that should be appreciated, both by Indonesians and foreigners.

How did Dr. Sunari’s grandfather influence his career path?

Dr. Sunari's grandfather had a significant influence on his career. His grandfather was an architect, artist, and craftsman who dabbled in various professions, including furniture-making and shoe-making. This exposure to multiple crafts and professions inspired Dr. Sunari from a young age to pursue the arts.

What advice did Dr. Sunari’s grandfather give him regarding choosing a profession?

Dr. Sunari’s grandfather advised him against following in his footsteps as an architect or craftsman because of the challenging and often unstable nature of those professions. Instead, he recommended Dr. Sunari pursue painting, as it would provide more stability and fulfillment.

What themes does Dr. Sunari explore in his artwork?

Dr. Sunari explores a range of themes in his artwork, including dance, puppetry, politics, and social issues like the COVID-19 pandemic. However, all of his themes are deeply connected to Javanese culture and often contain elements of traditional Javanese symbols and motifs.

How does Dr. Sunari incorporate Javanese culture into his paintings?

Dr. Sunari incorporates Javanese culture into his paintings by using Javanese symbols, such as those found in traditional puppetry (wayang), and elements that represent moral or spiritual values. Even in works with social or political themes, he infuses them with Javanese cultural symbolism.

Can you describe the meaning behind Dr. Sunari’s 'kalap' theme in his artwork?

The 'kalap' theme, inspired by the traditional Javanese art of 'kuda lumping,' represents a state of being 'out of control' or 'delirious.' Dr. Sunari uses this to comment on societal behaviors, particularly individuals who lose control of their actions, metaphorically 'going crazy.'

What role does the Wayang Topeng play in Dr. Sunari’s work?

Wayang Topeng plays a significant role in Dr. Sunari’s work, serving as both an artistic inspiration and a medium for conveying moral lessons. The Wayang Topeng performance, with its distinct characters of good and evil, symbolizes the triumph of virtue over vice and reflects Dr. Sunari’s belief in the power of moral teachings in art.

How does Dr. Sunari view the relationship between art and morality?

Dr. Sunari believes that art, especially traditional Javanese art, carries profound moral and spiritual messages. He sees art not only as a form of entertainment but also as a means of teaching values such as patience, introspection, and goodness. In his view, art should serve as both a performance and a guide for moral and spiritual growth.

What impact did Dr. Sunari’s connection to traditional Javanese culture have on his art?

Dr. Sunari’s deep connection to traditional Javanese culture shaped his artistic style and themes, making his work rich in cultural references. His environment in Malang, steeped in Javanese culture, has influenced nearly all of his paintings, which incorporate Javanese symbols, values, and narratives.

How does Dr. Sunari feel about the global recognition of Indonesian culture?

Dr. Sunari is proud of Indonesia's cultural richness and believes that it deserves global recognition. He cites the example of Madonna, who once sought Indonesian dancers for her performances, as proof of the international admiration for Indonesian art and culture. Dr. Sunari feels that the world should appreciate Indonesia’s diverse artistic traditions.