Foreword by Bale Tonggoh, Selasar Sunaryo Art Space (SSAS)

This art exhibition by Isa Perkasa is a part of the previous exhibition once held in BaleTonggoh, SSAS with the theme “Ingatan Yang Diseragamkan” (“Uniformed Memories”) on 29 May – 14 June 2009. With some additional artwork at Galeri Canna, Jakarta, the gallery is exhibiting Isa Perkasa’s masterpieces with the same theme.

Following a further discussion among the curators, the host of the exhibition and the artist (Isa Perkasa), the agreed title of this exhibition is “Seragam Yang Diingatkan” (“Uniforms being Reminded”), in which the artwork being shown is still exploring drawing techniques on different uniforms of the government offcials (i.e. the police, the judges/ the court staff, the city council offcials, etc).

Isa wants to encourage everyone to always remember that wearing any uniforms is to fulfll all responsibilities commanded by the country and to coherently maintain the image of the related institution. However, what Isa (we) see(s) may be different from reality; the way we view things are always in ‘positive’ mode whereas Isa’s drawings are in negatives, which I personally think is a good reminder for us on things that are supposed to be positive.

This is not the only time that Isa’s artwork brings up the most discussed and current issues, especially those about social politics, corruption, etc. Even long before the issues surfaced, Isa had explored them through his paintings, drawings, and performance art. This is how sensitive an artist like Isa Perkasa is.

Lastly, we would like to thank Isa Perkasa, Mr Teten Masduki for opening the exhibition, Mr & Mrs Suprayitno Sutomo (Tommy and Inge Santoso) along with all staff of Galeri Canna, Mr Aminuddin TH Siregar as the curator of this exhibition, AGSI, the collectors, the art appreciators, MRA Group (Bazaar, Amica, Bravacasa, Esquire) as our media partner, Joko Suharbowo, Dimas Arief, and other art critics including all parties involved in supporting this event.

Hopefully, this art exhibition will give meanings to us all.

Regards,

Yus Herdiawan