Title: Controversy Erupts as Solo Exhibit of Yos Suprapto's Exhibition and the National Gallery's Response: A Dispute Over Curatorial Influence.”>Yos Suprapto‘s Painting is Canceled at National Gallery
Article:
In a move that has sparked controversy, the solo exhibition of renowned artist Yos Suprapto has been canceled at the National Gallery in Jakarta. The cancellation has been met with a storm of criticism from various quarters, with many arguing that it undermines artistic freedom and public discourse.
The kerfuffle began when Yos Suprapto alleged that the exhibition’s curator, Suwarno Wisetrotomo, had asked him to remove five of the 30 paintings he had prepared for the show. The paintings in question were said to depict sensitive topics related to figures popular in Indonesian society.
Yos initially agreed to cover two paintings with black cloth but later refused to remove three more, leading to the exhibition’s cancellation. The gallery proceeded to turn off the lights and lock the exhibition room.
The National Gallery released a statement, blaming technical difficulties for the postponement of the "Kebangkitan: Tanah untuk Kedaulitan Pangan" exhibition, which was set to run from December 20, 2024, to January 19, 2025.
Suwarno, the exhibition’s curator, maintained that two of the paintings in question were deemed too controversial to display, as they appeared to criticize practices of power and were considered too vulgar and lacking in metaphor, contradicting the exhibition’s theme.
The cancellation of the exhibition has led to a deluge of criticism. DPP member and PDI-P fractional Commission X member Bonnie Triyana called on the National Gallery to reopen the exhibition, arguing that art should belong to the public and stimulate open discussion. He predicted that the exhibition, if reopened, would attract a large number of visitors, contributing to a healthier democracy in Indonesia.
Usman Hamid, the director of Amnesty International Indonesia, echoed these sentiments, arguing that the cancellation was a dire warning about the state of free expression in Indonesia. He stressed that artwork is a form of expression protected under human rights laws.
Todung Mulya Lubis, a senior advocate, also criticized the gallery’s decision. He affirmed that he had visited the gallery to view the exhibition personally and claimed that the gallery had asked Yos to remove five paintings that were critical of President Joko Widodo. Lubis deemed this act as censorship through art.
Former coordinating minister for politics, law, and security, Mahfud MD, also weighed in, suggesting that the gallery postponed the exhibition because Yos refused to remove five of his paintings.
The cancellation of Yos Suprapto’s solo exhibition has ignited a conversation about artistic freedom and censorship in Indonesia. As the debate continues, many hope that the National Gallery will reconsider its decision and reopen the exhibition, allowing the public to engage with and interpret Yos’s work for themselves.
