Profile Suwarno Wisetrotomo: The Figure Of Curator And Criticism Of Art

YOGYAKARTA - The name Suwarno Wisetrotomo has been in the public spotlight recently because of his involvement as a curator at the single exhibition of artist Yos Suprapto entitled "Revival: Land for Food Sovereignty" at the National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta. This art event suddenly became a polemic after five works of Yos were deemed not to match Suwarno's theme, who finally decided to resign as curator.

So, who exactly is Suwarno Wisetrotomo? The following is a glimpse of Suwarno Wisetrotomo's profile, an important figure in the world of Indonesian fine arts.

Suwarno Wisetrotomo was born in Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta, on January 10, 1962. He is known as a lecturer, character, curator, a leading critic of art, as well as a leading essay who works in the world of national and international art. Currently, Suwarno teaches in the art department of Murni, the Faculty of Fine Arts at the Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) Yogyakarta.

Suwarno's dedication to art has started at a young age. He was inspired by major art figures such as Affandi, Vincent van Gogh, and Raden Saleh. His educational journey began with the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design (FSRD) ISI Yogyakarta, then continued to Gadjah Mada University.

Career Traces And Kuratorial Roles

In the art world, Suwarno Wisetrotomo is known as a figure who has a unique and deep vision towards fine arts. He believes that art is a universal medium that can convey messages without language restrictions. This philosophy is the basis for his curatorial works, which often connect local values with global narratives.

Suwarno has managed various art exhibitions at the national and international levels. As a curator, he has a sharp view of the meaning of art, including when he highlighted two paintings in the Yos Suprapto exhibition, namely Konoha I and Konoha II, which were considered to deviate from the theme.

This controversy reflects Suwarno's commitment to curatorial integrity, although the decision sparked pros and cons among artists and the art community.

Friends Of Butet Kertaradjasa And Art Inspiration

Suwarno has a close relationship with other art figures, one of whom is Butet Kertaradjasa. Their friendship began when they sat in high school and continued to become colleagues in the art world. From Butet, Suwarno received inspiration for writing art essays which are now one of his contributions in enriching the art literature in Indonesia.

Apart from Butet, Suwarno also gained influence from other prominent art figures such as Jim Supangkat, Siswanto HS, and Prof. Made Bandem. These figures played a major role in shaping Suwarno's perspective on art and culture.

Contribution In Art Literacy

As an essay, Suwarno has written many books and scientific articles about fine arts. His writings not only expand insight into art, but also provide a critical view of the development of fine arts in Indonesia. Through his writings, he succeeded in connecting artists with a wider audience and giving deep appreciation to works of art.

Awards And Achievements

Suwarno's dedication in the world of fine arts has been recognized with various awards. One of his highest achievements is the Lifetime Achievement Award from Nandur Srawung 'Wasiat' in 2024.

This award was given by the Head of the DIY Culture Service, Dian Laksmi Pratiwi, at the opening of the Nandur Srawung Exhibition in Yogyakarta Cultural Park. This award confirmed Suwarno as one of the top art figures who contributed greatly to the preservation and development of art in Indonesia.

Commitment to Art and Culture

As Deputy Chairman of the DIY Cultural Council and member of the Indonesian National Gallery Curator Council, Suwarno Wisetrotomo continues to show his commitment to the development of art and culture. Through these various roles, he seeks to maintain the sustainability of Indonesian art as well as introduce it to the international world.