SBY Arts Teacher Wants Monas And HI Roundabout, Pramono: I Want To Buy

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung received the arrival of the 6th President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. (Diah-VOI)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung received the arrival of the 6th President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who brought his painting teacher, a painter from Germany, Cristopher Lehmfuhl at DKI Jakarta City Hall.

Pramono finds out Christopher is a painter who has special expertise in finger painting, heavy texture, and painting in nature. In fact, Pramono had seen Christopher's work firsthand.

"This painting is indeed one of the extraordinary talents because it paints fully with hands, does not use a brush at all," said Pramono at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Tuesday, July 29.

SBY's arrival with Christopher intended to ask for permission to use the upper floor of the DKI Jakarta City Hall building to paint the National Monument (Monas), followed by the HI Roundabout this afternoon.

"On the 23rd floor (the City Hall building) is very good. (The view) Monas can, the cathedral can, Istiqlal can, then Gambir and so on," said Pramono.

After Christopher's painting was exhibited, Pramono hoped that the two icons of Jakarta and the national could go global. In fact, Pramono also wanted to buy the painting.

"Hopefully the painting that will be produced in Jakarta, apart from painting at Monas, the person concerned also wants to paint at the HI Roundabout. So, these two places will be painted and hopefully their work can be worldwide. If not, I also want to buy," explained Pramono.

When he arrived at City Hall this morning, SBY, wearing a blue shirt and white vest, was warmly welcomed by Pramono. To Pramono, SBY expressed Christopher's desire to paint Monas and HI Roundabouts.

"Today, the person concerned with the governor's permission will paint Monas and its surroundings, from the 23rd floor. In the afternoon, he will see, if possible, he can paint the HI roundabout. It depends on the weather, because this is Europeans, if it's really hot, it's not comfortable," said SBY.

The former artistic head of state is also known to have learned to paint with Christopher. Thus, he supported Christopher's intention to paint directly for the Monas portrait and appreciated Pramono for inviting the use of the City Hall building to be his place of painting.

"I studied with Christopher, I went to Berlin and was taught to paint nature with fingers," said SBY.

"But he (Christopher) is a good painter, I thank him (Pramono) for giving him the opportunity to paint here," he continued.

However, SBY admitted that he did not participate in painting Monas with Christopher. The consideration is that SBY is recovering his health after being treated at the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital some time ago.

"I may not today, but those who will come will join in to paint. I just got out of the hospital so I can get a full recovery first. Pray for it, so that it recovers as usual," he said.