lifestyle

Pendopo Presents Djon & Rose: Capturing The Spirit Of Maestro S. Sudjojono In Fashion

Pendopo collaborates with the S. Sudjojono Center to present the brand "Djon & Rose", a collection of fashion and merchandise from the works of Indonesian art maestro, Sindudarsono Sudjojono (S. Sudjojono). The adoption of the artist's works, who is dubbed as the Father of Modern Indonesian Art, was launched in a limited fashion show at Pendopo Alam Sutera, South Tangerang, on Friday, June 14, 2024. This launch is expected to encourage love for Indonesian art as part of the nation's cultural heritage.

S. Sudjojono was born in Kisaran, North Sumatra, in 1913, and passed away at the age of 71 in Jakarta, back in 1986. Throughout his life, S. Sudjojono produced around a thousand works, including the painting "Pura Kembar" which became one of the images in this design, and the painting titled "Our Soldiers Led Under Prince Diponegoro" owned by a senior Indonesian collector, was successfully sold for three times the estimated price at Sotheby's auction house in Hong Kong.

The painting was sold at an international auction for Rp85 million, and at that time, it set a record as the highest sale in Southeast Asia. True to his title, S. Sudjojono was the first Indonesian artist to introduce modern art, which is not only beautiful but also must be in accordance with the facts and realities in society.

This is manifested through the maestro's works that capture the social, political, and cultural situations of Indonesia in the past. This spirit is expressed through the creed or guiding principle of life called "jiwa ketok" or visible soul, which states:

"Art is a visible soul. When an artist creates a work of art, it is actually nothing but their own visible soul. So, art is the soul." - S. Sudjojono.

Tasya Widya Krisnadi, Director of Pendopo, explains, "Efforts to preserve Indonesian culture are not limited to traditional heritage alone, works of art from the thoughts of past artists must also be preserved. Especially the works of the maestro are not only beautiful, but also have historical value that records the past.

That's why Pendopo brings the fashion brand "Djon & Rose", which immortalizes the works of S. Sudjojono in clothing and accessories. The hope is that this collection can encourage young people to appreciate and love the art of Indonesian artists even more."

Pendopo itself is a business brand of Kawan Lama Group which serves as a home for local MSMEs and has collaborated with more than 250 MSMEs in the archipelago. Through the slogan "Ragam Satu Negeri", Pendopo plays a role as an ecosystem driving the development of local products and the preservation of Indonesian culture, including art as a cultural product.

Maya Sudjojono, the youngest daughter of S. Sudjojono & Rose Pandanwangi, Founder of "Djon & Rose", explains, "We welcome the request to present the expression of "Jiwa Ketok" by S. Sudjojono at Pendopo.

Apart from being our first modern retail, Pendopo's spirit to promote the preservation of Indonesian culture is also in line with our spirit at the S. Sudjojono Center. Our hope is that the presence of "Djon & Rose" at Pendopo can further introduce the works of S. Sudjojono to young people, the next generation of the nation."

Previously, "Djon & Rose" was only exhibited and marketed at the S. Sudjojono Center, a center for data and information related to the art maestro, S. Sudjojono, and the mezzo-soprano seriosa maestro, Rose Pandanwangi, his wife. In addition, the "Djon & Rose" collection is also marketed in galleries, museums, and selected art events.