Painter Kaji Habeb was born in Demak, Central Java, Indonesia, on September
2nd, 1969. He was brought up in a devoted Moslem environment. His father
is called a "Kyai" (a Moslem theologian) who worked with the Training
Center of Devoted Moslems in Demak.
After graduating from Secondary School, he stayed at 'Masjidil Haram',
in Arabia. His hobby of painting, since he was young, led him to study
more about painting at the Faculty of Arts, Department of Painting,
at the Art Institute of Indonesia in Yogyakarta. Besides this, he also
graduated from the Department of Philosophy at the State Institute of
Moslem Religion in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He is known as an actor and
a producer in theatres. His paintings show surrealistic and expressive
styles with unique colour matching touch painted on papers as the painting
medium.
Why
OASIS is it's name ?
A pond in the
desert is called 'OASIS' where travelers or wanderers take a break.
For them Oasis is a place to have a chat, to share about the weather,
obstacles around and the probability of danger. The traveler's long
journeys, which are full of unexpected obstacles and tiring as well,
often result in an extraordinary imagination, spiritual experiences,
and changes in their inner life. There is neither personal ownership
nor monopoly concerning the Oasis, but only the collective law. Oasis
is also a place for reconciliation between tribes who are in conflict
because it is considered as source of life in the desert. In mystical
and religious tradition, Oasis is a symbol of God and life. At Oasis
Abraham built an altar for worship to maintain the tradition of his
religion.
The aim of the
exhibition is to find one's own 'Oasis'. Violence and bitterness of
life often damage people and their humanity, which creates a 'dry' situation,
uncertainty and discontent. The crisis, which appears from all angles
of life, actually arises from humanity himself. People and their humanity
are like a caliph who is on the way through the desert. They lost their
way, were trapped by a storm, fighting the overwhelming power, feeling
desperate, no more energy left, and here Oasis is really a place to
release the tension, building hope and new spirit.
In keeping with
the title 'Oasis', we have a painting exhibition with a strong Moslem
background in the education and family of painter Kaji Habeb, the hospitality
of Rev. Bernard T. Adeney- Risakotta to be he host of the exhibition,
and the willingness of Dr. Judo Poerwowidagdo as the President of ACAA
to introduce the exhibition officially. Perhaps the exhibition portrays
hope especially for us in Indonesia who long for 'the water of life',
which is able to connect between the varieties of ethnicities and religions.
People look for such a place in order to live peacefully regardless
of their ethnicity and religion.