Sri Harjanto Sahid-Recent Works

Sri Harjanto Sahid recent works during the period 2007-2008 were made on big sized canvases. He used more detailed object, micro sized dots, lines, and forms to fill the space. His technique developed into what Harjanto called as "Contemporary Decorative".
"I challenge myself by using this method of painting. I tried to make every single dots, every single lines artistically. Sometimes, I work about fifteen hours in front of the canvas. I need great great patience to finish a painting with technique like this." Harjanto explained. "I used also wet tissues mixed with glues to create textured surface."
The example of Harjanto's recent works can be seen below


Sri Harjanto Sahid-Anjing Menyerbu Bulan (The Dogs Invading the Moon) -2007-300x200cm



Sri Harjanto Sahid-Legenda Kucing Garong(Legend of the Wild Cat)-2007-300x200cm



Sri Harjanto Sahid-Pesona Keindahan Seribu Tahun Kesunyian ( Fascination of the Beautifulness in A Thousand Years Silence)-2008-300x200cm

"In those paintings, I purely played with my imagination. Later, i realized that my childhood memories and reminiscent strongly affected those period." said Harjanto.
In later development, the influence of his daily life and childhood memory strongly appear in his artworks. For example his painting titled "Menguak Misteri Semesta" (Revealing the Mystery of the Century), he transformed his family into seven bodied objects around the circle. "There are mother, father, and five children. The mother stand with her feet on the ground, as she roled as the pillar of the family. Meanwhile the father's feet directed to the sky, and his head is on the ground. It means, the father will do everything, even until his body turned around, to support his family." Harjanto said.


Sri Harjanto Sahid-Menguak Misteri Semesta (Revealing the Mystery of the Century)-2007-300x200cm


Sri Harjanto Sahid-Sang Penjinak Badai (The Storm Tamer)-2007-300x200cm

"The main figure in 'Sang Penjinak Badai' is my mother. I just realized it after i finished the painting. Both of my mother are strong women," Harjanto explained.
Harjanto's most recent work has naughtier theme on it, with maturer technique, titled "Rumah Mewah dalam Kondom Berduri" (Luxurious House in a Thorny Condom).


Sri Harjanto Sahid-Rumah Megah Dalam Kondom Berduri (Luxurious House in a Thorny Condom)-300x200cm-2008

Now he prepared to held his duo-exhibition with his wife, Wara in Bentara Budaya Jakarta. "I haven't decide the exact date, but it can be held after March 2009. Just wait and see, we will exhibit great artworks," said Harjanto.

Sri Harjanto Sahid- Early Period of Painting

Before known as a painter, Sri Harjanto Sahid formerly recognized as an actor, director, and poet. Since 1999, he reduced his activity as Performer Artist and begin his career as Visual Artist.
"I had been worked as Performer Artist for a long time, until finally i realized that there are a lot of talents in my family that should be taken care. The talents of my wife (Wara Anindyah) and my children. It would be shame if i abandon their talents because of my carreer as an actor," said Sri Harjanto.
So, he decided to take a "temporary retirement" as Performer Artist then took a role as "Family Manager".
"At that time, the development of the artistic progress of my family--especially my wife- were incredibly great. I did my best to help my family. When the mother is painting, i do the laundry, cook the food, or take care of the children." Harjanto said again.
As a Family Manager, Harjanto takes reponsibility of the artistic progress of the family. He makes the canvases, buys paints, deals with collectors and galleries, takes the children to the school everyday, and greatly documented every single artworks of his family.
"Everyday we produce artworks, on a large canvas or on a tiny scratch of paper. I have to make sure that there won't be every single artwork were abandoned or thrown away. I always keep every artworks in a safe place, write the date behind the artworks, then store them neatly. For the artworks, i have to wrap them with transparent plastic in order to prevent from the dust. I do the same thing for the press publications for our family." explained Harjanto.
But, tons of jobs and reponsibility can't stop Harjanto's artistic ability. Although he is considered as rookie Visual Artist in the family (Harjanto began to paint after Wiku and Wara), he is the most productive artist in the house. Began with decorative technique in early 1995 with ink on canvas, Harjanto never stops to explore his artistic ability. He did it by made millions paintings with various medias, for example, a series consists of 746 paintings, ink on A4 paper, titled "Ziarah ke dalam Diri Sendiri" (Voyage to Myself)


Sri Harjanto Sahid-Ziarah ke Dalam Diri Sendiri (A Voyage to Myself)- Ink, Acrylic on Paper-A4 sized-1998

He made millions paintings to enhance his artistic ability, before moving to the new media, acrylic on canvas.
The example of Harjanto's canvas paintings are two paintings titled "Rembulan di Kuala Lumpur Siang Hari" (The Moon on Kuala Lumpur in Afternoon) and Tujuh Orang Pesakitan di Bandara Internasional Beijing (Seven Hostages in Beijing International Airport). Both of them sized 190 cm x 500 cm, acrylic on canvas, and made after his trip to China in 2001.




Sri Harjanto Sahid-Rembulan di Kuala Lumpur Siang Hari (The Moon on Kuala Lumpur in Afternoon)-Acrylic on Canvas-500 cm x 190 cm-2001



Sri Harjanto Sahid-Tujuh Orang Pesakitan di Bandara Internasional Beijing (Seven Hostages in Beijing International Airport)-Acrylic on Canvas-500 cm x 190 cm-2001


Another example of further development of Harjanto's 5 meter sized paintings is "Air Mata Tanah, Tanah Air Mata" (Tears of the Land, The Land of Tears) with more detailed technique and colors.



Sri Harjanto Sahid-Air Mata Tanah, Tanah Air Mata (Tears of the Land, The Land of Tears)-Acrylic on Canvas-500 cm x 190 cm-2005

Then, the development of the artworks can be seen in his "Superwoman", where he combine the ability of making solid form and colors



Sri Harjanto Sahid-Superwoman-Acrylic on Canvas-200 cm x 145 cm-2007

To enrich his artistic ability, Sri Harjanto also collecting thousands art books, thousands films, old maps, stamps, also paintings and sculptures from another artist.

Sri Harjanto Sahid

Sri Harjanto Sahid was born in Sragen 25 November 1961. He graduated from ASDRAFI (Institute of Drama and Film) in 1984. Also study in ABA YIPK in 1983-84 and studied Phylosophy in STIKH during 1982-1990. When he was young he learned to paint in Sanggar Mandungan Baluwarti Solo. Privately tutored about Fine Arts and Painting by Satya Graha,But Muchtar, Fajar Sidik and Subroto SM.

He married Wara Anindyah in 1989 and have five children, Wiku Pulangasih, Seruni Bodjawati, Ratu Pandan Wangi, Satrio Kinasih, and Sang Putri Pesona.
LIst of his solo exhibitions are :
1. Taman Budaya Yogyakarta, 1998
2. Galeri Kafe SOLO (Owned by Sardono W. Kusumo), Surakarta
3. Galeri Sudut, Yogyakarta, 2002
4. Galeri Ruang Tamu Yogyakarta 2003
5. Galeri Ruang Tamu Yogyakarta 2008

Beside painting, he also known as actor, poet, and film director. In 1983-1985 he won the trophy of The Best Poet in Poem Festival in Middle Java-DIY, seven times in a row. In 1985, he was awarded by Ibu Tien Suharto (The wife of Indonesian President at that time) as the Best Actor in Indonesian Drama Festival. In 1986 with Cynthia Group, he won the first trophy of Humour Dancing Competition in Taman Ismail Marzuki Jakarta. As an actor and director, he have made hundreds time stage performances. He also played as main character in more than 40 television series (During the period of 1981-2002), and his recent play was in Hanung Bramantyo's film titled "Kidung". Participate actively in some theatre groups such as : Teater Kerotog Sragen, Teater Lebur Jakarta, Teater Prazasti, Teater ASDRAFI, Teater Tikar, Teater Jeprik, Teater Gedek, Teater Aksara, Padepokan Jangkrik Bongol, Teater Skala, Serikat Aktor, and Teater Alam. He works together with a lot of actors and theatre workers such as : Yoyok Aryo, Noor WA, Azwar AN, Genthong HSA, Syntia MT Sumukti, Agung Waskito, Sri Sadhono, Whani Darmawan, Winsa Prayitno, Untung Basuki, Agus SP, Michael Asmara, Sulitno Harahap, Bambang AErT, Zulhamdani AS, and Djawahir Muhammad. In the last fourteen year Sri Harjanto reduce his activity as an actor and director, in order to be more focus with his job as painter and the manager of his gallery.

Sri Harjanto also wrote several essays and literatures in mass media. His solo poem anthology are titled Puisi Puisi (Poems, 1983), Legenda Tujuh Mimpi (The Legend of Seven Dreams, 1996), and Cermin Kawin (Wedding Mirror, 2000). He also made a join poem anthology titled Genderang Kurukasetra in 1983. He wrote also short stories and more than 20 plays, that often to be performed in Theatre Events in Indonesia. The example of the plays wrote by Sri Harjanto Sahid are : Pengarang (The Writer), Penyakit (Epidemy), Pak Polisi (Mr. Policeman), Kepala Pegadaian, Penyair yang Terbunuh (Killed Poet), Kuda Liar dari Ruang Gelap (Wild Horse from the Darkness), Kisah Dua Lelaki Hamil (The Story of Two Pregnant Men), Perkawinan di Ujung Tanduk (Dying Marriage), Dongeng dari Negara Republik Masuk Angin (The Tale from Fever Republic), Revolusi Tinja (Faeces Revolution), Namaku Siti (My Name is Siti), Sandiwara (The Play), Para Pengkhianat (The Traitors) et cetera. He wrote also fine art catalogue for Iswanto (1995), Pupuk Daru Purnomo (1996), Made Sukadana (1996), Harjiman (1998), and Abdul Rosyid (1999).
Related to his role in the world of Play, Drama, and Film, Sri Harjanto worked as a Lecturer in ISI-Art Institute of Indonesia (1990-1993), ASDRAFI (1992-1997), The College of Audio Visual Education MANDIRI (1996-1998), Literature Workshop Jogjakarta (1996-now), Center of Acting Education Azwar AN (2001-2003), ABHISEKA Center for Human Resource Development Yogyakarta (1992-now). He also often works as a judge in theatre competition, poem readings, and literature writings.
Sri Harjanto's hobby are collecting books, stamps, old maps, films, old photos, comics, paintings, and sculptures. He has more than 10,000 books (Specially Art and Literature Books), about 500 dramas, 500 poem anthologies, and 2,000 novels. He has more than 3,000 films, more than 400 paintings (those didn't made by the member of Galeri Ruang Tamu), sculptures, and thousands sketches created by Basuki Abdullah, Dullah, Hendra Gunawan, Hendro Juwono, Surono, Kartono Yudhokusumo, Widayat, Saptoto, Batara Lubis, Djajeng Asmara, Lawson Wood, Mersad Berber, Loe Boen Koen, Abdul Salam, Zaini, Maraja Sitompul, Sudarisman, Ivan Sagita, Edie Hara, Heri Dono, Dadang Christanto, Mudjiono D, Masriadi, Heri Kris, Made Sukadana, Pupuk Daru Purnomo, Supantono, Widodo, Gunardi, Toto Andriyanto, Witono, Lulus Santoso, Karte Wardaya, Iskandar S., Mahmudi, Doddy Kuswanto, Dewi Nyai, Klowor, Jamaludin Malik, Eko Haryono, Herupati, Ugo Untoro, Edi Sunaryo, Faizal, Cipuk Sri Setyowati Mulyanim Anis Ekowindu, Hayattudin, Robi Fathoni, et cetera.
He lives and works with his family in Jalan Lowanu Gang Dahlia UH vi No 686 D Sorosutan Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Mobile : +62818268561