Catalog of

PICNIC PAINTING EXHIBITION

Deni Je, Januri, Nanang Warsito

27 December 2016 – 3 January 2017
TAHUNMAS Art Room

Jl. Sapto Hudoyo No.223, Kasongan, Bangunjiwo, Kasihan, Bantul,
Yogyakarta, Indonesia  

PICNIC PAINTING EXHIBITION

A picnic is an enjoyable trip. This excursion, in which usually the participants carry food with

them and share meals, takes place in an interesting landscape or urbanscape, such as a park

or a lake. In the Picnic Painting Exhibition context, depictions of picnics in the paintings are

further and broader than picnics in the reality. These artworks can represent real as well as

imaginative places, also depict scenes in the world or in dreams. Three Indonesian artists in

this exhibition – Januri, Nanang Warsito, and Deni Je – take a different approach to that issue.

Besides creating some real picnic destinations like archaeological sites, Januri (1977) paints

illusion picnic journeys. Although showing the real ones, his approach is not just realistic style,

but a combination among realistic, impressionistic, even abstract. By using acrylic and

collages on canvas, this artist is able to mix between flat and spatial depictions.

On the other hand, Nanang Warsito (1970) creates unique forms, such as flying lands or lands

like love sign. Spectators of his paintings can evoke perception as if they picnic at those

places. Bright acrylic colours he used give enjoyable aesthetic experiences. Viewers can

roam on his lovely space.

Meanwhile, Deni Je (1973) explores watercolour to portray dreamy areas. Spontaneity

shapes, especially formed by wet on wet techniques, form trees, hills, or water. Deni calls this

series as "waterdreamcolour", i.e. watercolour painting depicted dream outlooks. Trips into

these paintings are interesting experiences.

Although these artists have different approaches to catch a picnic theme, all have a same way

to represent it. They tend to show picnic areas, not people come there. These alumni of the

Arts Institute of Indonesia Yogyakarta have actively exhibited their paintings in some cities in

the world

PICNIC PAINTING EXHIBITION

Piknik, perjalanan indah sembari berbagi makanan ke tempat-tempat menyenangkan,
diinterpretasi secara beragam lewat lukisan Januri, Nanang Warsito, maupun Deni Je.
Januri merekam tamasya ke berbagai destinasi. Ia berkarya on the spot di situs arkeologis,
seperti candi Prambanan, Plaosan, maupun Sukuh. Bahkan pria yang banyak terlibat
workshop seni ini kerap melancong ke mancanegara sambil menjinjing kanvas. Namun
demikian, sejauh-jauh Januri melangkah, pikniknya bermuara di rumah, maka lahirlah
lukisan tentang rumah sebagai surga,Baiti Jannati.

Di sisi lain, Nanang Warsito mencipta citra unik, seperti tanah berbentuk cinta yang
melayang-layang atau tebing artifisial imajinatif sekaligus spektakuler. Warna-warna cerah
dengan dinamika tonalitas cahaya mampu menyita pengalaman estetis penonton untuk
berpiknik di karyanya. Perupa kontemporer yang kerap menyabet penghargaan seni ini juga
sering mengimbuhkan teks yang seakan-akan terukir di dinding alam.

Sementara itu, Deni Je mengesplorasi cat air untuk menghadirkan ruang-ruang
pengembaraan dalam mimpi. Untuk itu, ia menyebut seri lukisan ini dengan istilah
'waterdreamcolour'. Lewat bentuk spontan yang terutama memanfaatkan teknik wet on wet,
seniman yang juga dosen seni lukis di ISI Yogyakarta ini tengah piknik dalam efek warna
yang terserap dalam pori-pori kertas aquarelnya.

“Agar tidak panik, mari piknik,” ajak ketiganya berbarengan.