ARTWORDS by Dr Rob
The Bali Advertiser-July/August edition-2004
Pranoto and his wife Kerry
Pendergrast are well-established and infuential artists working
in Ubud.
Pursuing his dream of becoming an artist, Pranoto left
Solo for Ubud in 1974.
Over the years he collected artworks which
led to the establishment of his gallery in 1996.
Here he not only
exhibits his work, and works from his collection, but also mounts
solo and group shows.
Kerry is from Perth in Western Australia,
where she followed a career in Theatre and Music,
but since her
arrival in Ubud in 1993 she has developed as an artist. Kerry is
instrumental
in organizing the model sessions that take place
regularly at the gallery and have become
indispensable to the
Ubud Art Community. Currently at the gallery Pranoto and Kerry
are presenting an exhibition of their recent charcoal and soft
pastel drawings.
Entitled "Radiance", the works in the
exhibition are "in pursuit of elusive light".
The depiction of light has been a
major theme throughout the history of Western Art.
Light is
intangible. We can see it but it has no substance. We can only
observe the presence
of light by how it reacts with material
objects. Light is predominantly used to indicate a sense
of
atmosphere. The depiction of light also has a history of
symbolizing a divine or spiritual
presence and can be used to
convey the power of Nature's inner life and forces.
Created with charcoal on paper
Pranoto presents classic studio nude studies.
These are very fine
drawings, exhibiting good line, shape and composition.
In the Rubenesque female nude "Inclination" the model is
bathed in a soft white
light to mold her voluptuous body, while
harsh lines acute angles and stark
shadows are used to convey
masculinity in "Reclining Male Figure".
Also most
pleasing is the semi-draped and seated "Young Woman"
who appears
to radiate an inner-glow of peace and serenity. All
of Pranoto's drawings display a
deft assuredness and a distinct
"Master's Touch".
Kerry Pendergrast has developed a
passion for drawing in pastels and she likes
to complete pieces
outside in nature, but there is more than working "en Plein-Air"
that links her to Impressionism. Her subject
matter - gardens, interiors and lanscapes -
and her treatment of
it, recalls Matisse and Monet. Her soft pastel drawings are made
on
sandpaper which creates a rich textures and enhances color.
This is evident in her work
"Rice Fields in Green"
where the abrupt strokes and bright, vivid colors suggest the
expressiveness of Van Gogh. However, it is her use of light which
is very impressionistic.
"Temple at Sunrise" shimmers
in a pale lemon dawn, a shaft of afternoon sunlight falls
across
a secluded niche in "Buddha and the Garden" and the
sublime "Pura Dalem Puri, Ubud"
is awash with mauve,
evening shadows. Kerry's drawings speak about the relationship
between
Man, Nature and Spirit which is at the heart of life in
Bali. "Radiance" is an exhibition well
worth attending
but collectors must hurry-red dots are appearing beside the
drawings in great profusion!
Please see articles on www.BaliAdvertiser.biz