A portrait of Javanese values

Love, harmony and serenity are among the values taught for people to live by.  Based on some Javanese values, the “Java Dwipantara” art exhibition features some realism paintings that are as striking as their inspirations. 

The Javanese word sumeleh refers to a pure and peaceful state of mind without greed or any need to be restless. Achieving this would be valued as a perfect life. Perhaps our inability to reach this is the cause of our troubled world.  

Using Javanese values, contemporary artist Yuli Kodo translates today’s social and political conditions into striking artworks currently on display at Hadiprana Gallery in South Jakarta.

Curated by Aa Nurjaman, “Java Dwipantara” is Yuli’s first solo exhibition.

In this collection of more than 25 paintings, Yuli brings us through a passage into philosophical Javanese lives.

He reflects implicit messages of Javanese literature into an art form with a culturally bounded atmosphere. His style can be categorized as “realism” painting, putting together symbolic elements represented in today’s context.

“I based this collection on a Javanese song that represents the 11 stages in life from birth to death,” Yuli said when met during the exhibition’s opening ceremony on July 18.

The song he was referring to is “Tembang Mocopat”, 11 steps in life from Maskumambang (embryo) to Pucung (burial), which is a philosophical guide for an ideal life.

Yuli’s Javanese intellectuality is derived from his background. Born and raised in the vicinity of the Yogyakarta royal palace, Yuli lived by the Javanese belief of Kejawen. A particular atmosphere that he projects in this collection is the appreciation of life led by the element of balance. 

The values of “Tembang Mocopat” are translated into symbols. This collection can be generally categorized into three themes. The first pictures the philosophical lives of Javanese men and women, the second presents traditional children’s games, while the third is dedicated to the palace. 

White painted faces dominate most of his subjects. This signature element is meant as a mask, which symbolizes people’s masked characters. “People go out with their masks; we may never know what’s inside them,” he explained. 

Bapa Angkasa Ibu Pertiwi is an example of the first theme, picturing how the roles of men and women complete life in the universe. He explains that in Javanese philosophy men guide life, while women are the key to prosperity.

This is followed by Mimi lan Mintuno, in which a woman kneels with a pot of water while her man stands tall with a stick to protect them. Through these elements he emphasizes balance in life.

Yuli praises women as the source of our existence. The painting Perempuan pictures a woman dressed in batik standing among tulips on water with her arms out. 

On her head is the moon, her chest the sun and between her legs is the earth, a representation of a complete life. The sun being the heart illuminates the mind and the womb, which is the birth of life.  

The painter also uses many Javanese idioms to represent the context of political and social realities.

As an Indonesian, it would be easier to take in the meaning of the symbols as they are bound to Javanese cultural values. 

He implies that this collection may just look like a photograph, but with a thorough look you’ll see that they don’t stray far from today’s context.

One painting titled Ing Ngarso Sung Tulodho, Ing Madyo Mangun Karso, Tut Wuri Handayani portrays six children standing behind one another with the leader confronted by another boy with a stick.

Taken from a Javanese idiom, it’s a reminder to (political) leaders that they are responsible and while the people behind them will always follow those in front, they have a right to remind their leaders when taking the wrong way.

Panglima (commander) is part of the third theme, portraying a palace commander escorted by palace guards. His firm figure represents Ningrat, with Ning meaning tranquility and rat meaning the universe.

This describes the spiritual condition within a nobleman (priyayi). As such, Ningrat can be achieved by anyone able to overcome one’s own body and soul and hence be worthy a leader.  

“Java Dwipantara” presents a look into the roots of Javanese culture embodied by the various symbols of its philosophies. Yuli Kodo’s works show that cultural values still concur with today’s realities.


Java Dwipantara

July 11-27, 2011
Hadiprana Gallery
Jl. Kemang Raya No. 30, South Jakarta

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