Who says that the incessant rains and a serious bout of diarrhoea can prevent you from enjoying art and learning about history? It certainly didn’t stop me. Two weeks ago, as I was recovering from a recent digestive problem, Agung and I went on a date to visit a little exhibition at Dia.lo.gue Artspace called Cerita Kaca. The exhibition showcases historical glass paintings from across the archipelagos since it was first introduced to the region—around the 1300s—until today. A collaboration between LeBoYe, Mata Studio and Coune Labworks (among others), this exhibition reveals a long forgotten and overlooked part of Indonesia’s art history. Personally, I, too, was amazed to see what glass paintings are actually like—my prior understanding was that it is synonymous with stained glass—and how they have become so entrenched in Indonesia’s culture and tradition. Let’s take a look!
Who says that the incessant rains and a serious bout of diarrhoea can prevent you from enjoying art and learning about history? It certainly didn’t stop me. Two weeks ago, as I was recovering from a recent digestive problem, Agung and I went on a date to visit a little exhibition at Dia.lo.gue Artspace called Cerita Kaca. The exhibition showcases historical glass paintings from across the archipelagos since it was first introduced to the region—around the 1300s—until today. A collaboration between LeBoYe, Mata Studio and Coune Labworks (among others), this exhibition reveals a long forgotten and overlooked part of Indonesia’s art history. Personally, I, too, was amazed to see what glass paintings are actually like—my prior understanding was that it is synonymous with stained glass—and how they have become so entrenched in Indonesia’s culture and tradition. Let’s take a look!
📷 Fujifilm X-T100 with Fujinon Aspherical Superb EBC XC 15-45mm lens
Turn Over a New Glass
As we entered the exhibition, we were met with a main area that walks us through the history of glass paintings in Indonesia. It all started in the 1300s when the art of glass or porcelain paintings came into the archipelago from China—it is no wonder that the Chinese theme dominated the art until around the 18th century.
Over the years, however, we were able to see how other cultures had begun to influence glass paintings as well, specifically Hindu-Buddhist culture through the depiction of Wayang characters. And this is where it gets complicated, as we know that even the Wayang culture itself soon became influenced by Islam.
From the 300 paintings being showcased, it can clearly be seen that at least 70% of them took up the traditional Wayang theme—which became a lasting influence among this particular branch of fine art as we see in later works. The more recent paintings tend to take up either an Islamic theme or a more modern take on the Wayang theme—all of which still adopt the Hindu-Buddhist style of Wayang motifs.
Apparently, the art of glass painting reached its peak in the ’70s, with the exhibition that was held by Institut Teknologi Bandung in 1974—and received much national acclaim. It was kickstarted when Haryadi Suadi and Rastika met in 1972, snowballing the spread of glass painting across the nation.
As we entered the exhibition, we were met with a main area that walks us through the history of glass paintings in Indonesia. It all started in the 1300s when the art of glass or porcelain paintings came into the archipelago from China—it is no wonder that the Chinese theme dominated the art until around the 18th century.
Over the years, however, we were able to see how other cultures had begun to influence glass paintings as well, specifically Hindu-Buddhist culture through the depiction of Wayang characters. And this is where it gets complicated, as we know that even the Wayang culture itself soon became influenced by Islam.
From the 300 paintings being showcased, it can clearly be seen that at least 70% of them took up the traditional Wayang theme—which became a lasting influence among this particular branch of fine art as we see in later works. The more recent paintings tend to take up either an Islamic theme or a more modern take on the Wayang theme—all of which still adopt the Hindu-Buddhist style of Wayang motifs.
Apparently, the art of glass painting reached its peak in the ’70s, with the exhibition that was held by Institut Teknologi Bandung in 1974—and received much national acclaim. It was kickstarted when Haryadi Suadi and Rastika met in 1972, snowballing the spread of glass painting across the nation.
Since the art space itself is rather small, intimate and quaint, the area segmentation of the exhibition was not clearly marked. The exhibition is actually divided into around 5 sections:
Since the art space itself is rather small, intimate and quaint, the area segmentation of the exhibition was not clearly marked. The exhibition is actually divided into around 5 sections:
Locally Traditional
Showcasing traditional, Wayang-rich pieces on one wall and the modernisation of the theme on another.
Faces of Islam
Showcasing Islam-inspired paintings that mostly still adopt the Hindu-Buddhist style of Wayang.
Chinese-Balinese
Showcasing portrait paintings of Chinese-Balinese princesses that still adopt the Chinese style of old.
Vintage Golden Era
Showcasing vernicular paintings that dare to break the frame and experiment with other forms of glass.
Fully Modernised
Showcasing contemporary paintings of recent years that have broken away from the traditional style.
Those are the sections that showcase the painting, however. There is one more interactive section that is set up by the Mata Studio team in collaboration with Coune Labworks. This section is placed in an open room, where the floor is a projection mapping that changes visuals every few minutes. Visitors are required to take their shoes off in this area—for obvious reasons—and are free to completely immerse themselves in the painting assets being projected. When we visited, it became a playground for children—which is a brilliant idea, to be honest.
Another somewhat interactive section can be found in the “Fully Modernised” area, where Mata Studio has also set up a room whose walls showcase elements from the contemporary glass paintings being hung in said room. Not only that, one of the paintings was even projected onto the frame on the far end of the room. I suppose it is a modern look at how far a glass painting can be twisted to keep up with technology.
Joyland Bali 2023 shirt // thrifted jacket // hand-me-down skirt // Noesa headband // Tiga Mata Sapi tote bag // gifted sneakers // photos of me by Agung
Locally Traditional
Showcasing traditional, Wayang-rich pieces on one wall and the modernisation of the theme on another.
Faces of Islam
Showcasing Islam-inspired paintings that mostly still adopt the Hindu-Buddhist style of Wayang.
Chinese-Balinese
Showcasing portrait paintings of Chinese-Balinese princesses that still adopt the Chinese style of old.
Vintage Golden Era
Showcasing vernicular paintings that dare to break the frame and experiment with other forms of glass.
Fully Modernised
Showcasing contemporary paintings of recent years that have broken away from the traditional style.
Those are the sections that showcase the painting, however. There is one more interactive section that is set up by the Mata Studio team in collaboration with Coune Labworks. This section is placed in an open room, where the floor is a projection mapping that changes visuals every few minutes. Visitors are required to take their shoes off in this area—for obvious reasons—and are free to completely immerse themselves in the painting assets being projected. When we visited, it became a playground for children—which is a brilliant idea, to be honest.
Another somewhat interactive section can be found in the “Fully Modernised” area, where Mata Studio has also set up a room whose walls showcase elements from the contemporary glass paintings being hung in said room. Not only that, one of the paintings was even projected onto the frame on the far end of the room. I suppose it is a modern look at how far a glass painting can be twisted to keep up with technology.
Joyland Bali 2023 shirt // thrifted jacket // hand-me-down skirt // Noesa headband // Tiga Mata Sapi tote bag // gifted sneakers // photos of me by Agung
See-Through Stories
After talking this long about glass paintings, I think I need to reiterate. If you don’t know, a glass painting is the technique of painting on glass—usually with the colours being painted on top of the outline, resulting in a horrendous look at the back of the painting. The painting is usually displayed in frames, making it look pretty much like any normal painting, although the technique is wildly different.
Looking at these photos, it is hard for me not to see the connection between the nature of glass paintings and the back story of my own experience at the exhibition. Almost 2 weeks had passed by the time I took out these photos to edit and post, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that the photos show nothing of the agony and discomfort I felt then. I went to the toilet several times that day, trying to sort my bowel out. It was a tad unpleasant, to say the least.
However, you would never have guessed that from these photos alone. They look real lovely!
After talking this long about glass paintings, I think I need to reiterate. If you don’t know, a glass painting is the technique of painting on glass—usually with the colours being painted on top of the outline, resulting in a horrendous look at the back of the painting. The painting is usually displayed in frames, making it look pretty much like any normal painting, although the technique is wildly different.
Looking at these photos, it is hard for me not to see the connection between the nature of glass paintings and the back story of my own experience at the exhibition. Almost 2 weeks had passed by the time I took out these photos to edit and post, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that the photos show nothing of the agony and discomfort I felt then. I went to the toilet several times that day, trying to sort my bowel out. It was a tad unpleasant, to say the least.
However, you would never have guessed that from these photos alone. They look real lovely!
Life Update
There is really not much else for me to say regarding the exhibition and our time there, so let me take this chance to give a bit of a life update. Stomach-wise, I have since gotten better—thanks for asking!—so rest assured. That weekend set me back a few days, in terms of work, that I had to play catch up the following week to finish all of my remaining commissions. They are now finished, though! It has been pretty satisfying to be able to deliver my work to the clients and see how happy they are with it. A successful first month as a freelancer, I would say. If you’re interested in ordering an illustration yourself, feel free to check out my story highlight or email me for the price list.
Other than that, I have also started a part-time gig as a copywriter (again) at a newly established creative agency—thanks to the recommendation of my friend! This past week has been my first week on the job and it’s been a slow process of adapting, but I’m really excited for what the future holds here. So far, it has been such a different experience from the last time I worked at an agency, and I’m learning to unlearn some of my pre-determined habits and systems to make way for a new kind of process to take root. Aside from that, I’m also starting a new, big project this month—as well as continuing on a major project from last month. I’m really excited about it all and super honoured to be part of someone else’s dream. Can’t wait to share them all with you guys!
Cerita Kaca Exhibition will be available to visit until 11 April 2024.
It is free entry, so drop by anytime the art space is open!
Life Update
There is really not much else for me to say regarding the exhibition and our time there, so let me take this chance to give a bit of a life update. Stomach-wise, I have since gotten better—thanks for asking!—so rest assured. That weekend set me back a few days, in terms of work, that I had to play catch up the following week to finish all of my remaining commissions. They are now finished, though! It has been pretty satisfying to be able to deliver my work to the clients and see how happy they are with it. A successful first month as a freelancer, I would say. If you’re interested in ordering an illustration yourself, feel free to check out my story highlight or email me for the price list.
Other than that, I have also started a part-time gig as a copywriter (again) at a newly established creative agency—thanks to the recommendation of my friend! This past week has been my first week on the job and it’s been a slow process of adapting, but I’m really excited for what the future holds here. So far, it has been such a different experience from the last time I worked at an agency, and I’m learning to unlearn some of my pre-determined habits and systems to make way for a new kind of process to take root. Aside from that, I’m also starting a new, big project this month—as well as continuing on a major project from last month. I’m really excited about it all and super honoured to be part of someone else’s dream. Can’t wait to share them all with you guys!
Cerita Kaca Exhibition will be available to visit until 11 April 2024.
It is free entry, so drop by anytime the art space is open!