Headline:
Controversial Artist Yos Suprapto Retrieves Paintings from National Gallery of Indonesia Amid Storm
Article:
Yos Suprapto, a senior Indonesian artist, finally retrieved his controversial paintings from theNational Gallery of Indonesia (GNI) in Jakarta on Monday (23/12/2024). The artist was accompanied by GNI’s head of unit, Jarot Mahendra, several GNI staff, and security personnel from 6:00 PM WIB.
After GNI unlocked the main building’s doors, Yos quickly gathered his paintings, displaying a satisfactorily smug expression. Among his works were five paintings disputed by GNI’s former curator, Suwarno Wisetrotomo, and the gallery, due to their perceived resemblance to former high-ranking figures.
One by one, Yos collected his paintings, including the one depicting a Java king and another featuring a president embracing an elderly woman, both sparking controversies. "These are tears of joy," Yos remarked, as he picked up the latter painting.
Yos confirmed he would take down all his paintings, but logistical constraints limited what he could retrieve at once. He emphasized careful packing to prevent damage, asking for patience from onlookers.
Packing Yos’ paintings continued late into the night. If his artwork didn’t fit in the moving truck, his team planned to resume the process the following day.
Previously, Yos clashed with GNI over the venue for his solo exhibition, scheduled to open last Thursday (19/12). Just three hours before its launch, he was invited to mediate with GNI officials and staff, requesting to remove three more paintings. Two—Konoha I and Konoha II—were already concealed behind black cloths. They portrayed a figure, allegedly depicting a Java king, stepping on human bodies.
Yos stood firm, believing these paintings were relevant to his exhibition’s theme, "Awakening: Land for Food Sovereignty." After five days of national attention, the exhibition was finally taken down on Monday.
[fbr/tia]