YOGYAKARTA – The Devil was asking God whilst kneeling on the floor, “Dear God, I wish to retire immediately, because my duty in this country has been taken over by state officials.”
The Devil finds it difficult to perform his service in tempting human beings so much until he wants to retire. The bad conduct that is usually related to devils is already committed by state officials, corrupt officers, those that continuously amass illegal wealth,
That was one of 10 caricatures produced by GM Sudarta currently on exhibition in Koesnadi Hadrjasoemantri Cultural Centre (PKKH) UGM from 1 – 10 March. Also on display are 70 paintings from Sanggar Bambu.
Sudarta exhibits 10 caricatures that have been published in national mass media. One of the caricatures depicts the famous pirate in the film Pirate of Carribean, Jack Sparrow. Along with a partner, the man carrying a sword and pistol, was looking at a map to know the position of treasure chest in Bukit Hambalang. In this caricature, GM Sudarta was making a slander at corruption problems in the country. The artist might have expressed that Bukit Hambalang not only withdrew the attention of ministers and politicians but also the famous pirate to grab the trillion project.
For Sudarta, his caricature represents his concerns over the never ending corruption cases. He felt that through caricatures, he can express himself to others. “It’s important for me that our inner experience is expressed in drawings,” said the man born in Klaten, 67 years ago.
No longer young as he was, Sudarta was very enthusiastic to participate in the exhibition, particularly to be invited by Sanggar Bambu which he had known since the 1960s. In addition, Sudarta said, the PKKH has given the stage for artists to keep making artwork.
Director of PKKH, Dr. Ida Rochani, the event was to mark the 6th anniversary of PKKH. “This exhibition has the theme of love, inviting artists,” he said.
The former building of Purna Budaya has been established since 36 years ago. Other events to mark the anniversary include self-contemplation and cultural workshop (3/3), poetry reading of Umar Kayam’s and others (6/3), plays by Perkutut theatre Wahyana Giri and Dewan Teater Yogyakarta (7/3), also recital of Javanese readings (Geguritan Hadeging Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat) and gejog lesung (mortar beating) performance (9/3), and concluded with puppet play (wayang cumplung Banyumasan) (10/3).