Features Column My name Travelogues Photos Family Friends Komaneka's desire to grow with young talent Kadek Krishna Adidharma, Ubud The Jakarta Post, Features - May 27, 2007 Despite the gathering dark of dusk and threats of rain, an elderly gentleman rides his motorbike for almost an hour to Ubud to attend the launch of Nostalgia, an exhibition at the Komaneka Fine Arts Gallery on May 19. For many years, he has been painting in the traditional Balinese styles and has taught the craft to his children and students at a local junior high school in Tabanan. It has been his dream to be acknowledged as an artist, and today, his dream has come true through his son. He sees his son in the gallery, standing among his peers. Many have come all the way from Java. He feels a pang of pride and walks in timidly, introducing himself only as "Nano's Dad". He observes the launch and reminisces. Greeting the visitors, Gallery owner Koman Suteja Neka introduces the exhibiting artists: "I met Nano (Sudarna Putra) and Palguna when I was setting up my gallery in 1997." Nano Sudarna Putra, Arya Palguna and Koman Suteja Neka pose for a photograph at the launch of Nostalgia "I've been interested in their work," he adds, "but because they live in Yogya, I hardly get a chance to meet them unless I go and visit them." And visit them he does, regularly. After 10 years, Komaneka Fine Art Gallery continues to exhibit the work of select young artists, never managing more than 15 artists in its portfolio. To ensure wider appreciation, Komaneka develops networks with arts and cultural institutions in other regions and countries, maintains consistently high standards by only exhibiting and selling top-quality artwork that has undergone rigorous selection before exhibition and widely publicizes the artists' work. Regular visits by the gallery owner or manager maintain rapport while encouraging artists to continue to work consistently and creating opportunities for them to obtain new experiences by facilitating collaborations with other artists. "We try to understand their needs and thought processes," explains Gallery Manager Dian Ina on how she supports her artists. "Not necessarily preaching or controlling them, especially in their art. Giving them as much time and space as necessary to express and create." From humble beginnings, Komaneka's rise to success has followed the careers of budding young talents they have discovered and fostered. But how does one measure success? "We are giving an active contribution to the visual arts scene of Indonesia," answers Dian Ina, "Especially in educating buyers to appreciate new talent." Nostalgia through June 12 Komaneka Fine Art Gallery Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Gianyar 80571 Bali tel: (0361) 97 60 90 fax: (0361) 97 71 40 e-mail: gallery@komaneka.com website: http://gallery.komaneka.com Related story: Komaneka's desire to grow with young talent Features Column My name Travelogues Photos Family Friends Last updated Saturday 2 June 2007 at 12:05 PM (+8 GMT) © Kadek Krishna Adidharma (2007). Providing you link back to www.adidharma.net, you may copy up to 800 words without written permission.

Features Column My name Travelogues Photos Family Friends

Komaneka's desire to grow with young talent

Kadek Krishna Adidharma, Ubud
The Jakarta Post, Features - May 27, 2007

Despite the gathering dark of dusk and threats of rain, an elderly gentleman rides his motorbike for almost an hour to Ubud to attend the launch of Nostalgia, an exhibition at the Komaneka Fine Arts Gallery on May 19.

For many years, he has been painting in the traditional Balinese styles and has taught the craft to his children and students at a local junior high school in Tabanan. It has been his dream to be acknowledged as an artist, and today, his dream has come true through his son.

He sees his son in the gallery, standing among his peers. Many have come all the way from Java. He feels a pang of pride and walks in timidly, introducing himself only as "Nano's Dad". He observes the launch and reminisces.

Greeting the visitors, Gallery owner Koman Suteja Neka introduces the exhibiting artists: "I met Nano (Sudarna Putra) and Palguna when I was setting up my gallery in 1997."

Nano, Palguna and Koman pose for a photograph
Nano Sudarna Putra, Arya Palguna and Koman Suteja Neka pose for a photograph at the launch of Nostalgia

"I've been interested in their work," he adds, "but because they live in Yogya, I hardly get a chance to meet them unless I go and visit them."

And visit them he does, regularly. After 10 years, Komaneka Fine Art Gallery continues to exhibit the work of select young artists, never managing more than 15 artists in its portfolio.

To ensure wider appreciation, Komaneka develops networks with arts and cultural institutions in other regions and countries, maintains consistently high standards by only exhibiting and selling top-quality artwork that has undergone rigorous selection before exhibition and widely publicizes the artists' work.

Regular visits by the gallery owner or manager maintain rapport while encouraging artists to continue to work consistently and creating opportunities for them to obtain new experiences by facilitating collaborations with other artists.

"We try to understand their needs and thought processes," explains Gallery Manager Dian Ina on how she supports her artists. "Not necessarily preaching or controlling them, especially in their art. Giving them as much time and space as necessary to express and create."

From humble beginnings, Komaneka's rise to success has followed the careers of budding young talents they have discovered and fostered. But how does one measure success?

"We are giving an active contribution to the visual arts scene of Indonesia," answers Dian Ina, "Especially in educating buyers to appreciate new talent."

Nostalgia
through June 12
Komaneka Fine Art Gallery
Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Gianyar 80571 Bali

tel: (0361) 97 60 90
fax: (0361) 97 71 40
e-mail: gallery@komaneka.com
website: http://gallery.komaneka.com

Related story: Komaneka's desire to grow with young talent

Features Column My name Travelogues Photos Family Friends

Last updated Saturday 2 June 2007 at 12:05 PM (+8 GMT)