Natural Materials Exhibition: Jakarta, West Java

You probably throw away a durian skin after savoring its sweet flesh. What on earth is it for? For Rudi Corens, however, it has a creative utility. Combined with silver or pearls, durian skin has artistic — and economic — value that can be worth millions of rupiah. Corens, a Belgium who has been living in Yogyakarta for almost two decades, also uses Cambodia flower, paper or coral in some of his creations; the results are jewelry with an artistic look in the form of necklaces or brooches.

Use of “neglected” materials is also to be found in his tapestry — to mention one example — using wood, textile, cardboard and batik, which makes a beautiful wall-hanging titled Global Green Kebayas.

Other creations make use of old cloth (which could be up to 30 years old) coconut pod or bamboo.

His assistant Indra Gunawan said the team had been scouring villages for old, used cloth.

His unique creations are currently on display at Hadiprana Gallery in Kemang, South Jakarta, in an exhibition titled Adventures with textile, silver and …”

The exhibition runs through June 13.

“Every year we try to get a different creation based on original material from Indonesia like wood or paper. It’s a challenge to our creativity. This year we made items from kulit durian (durian skin),” Corens said on the opening day of the exhibition.

“(The skill lies in) how to make such a basic material ready to use … as in jewelry,” Corens said, adding that he needed six to seven weeks to process his creations that used durian skin.

“Creativity comes from experimentation. We transform those materials with color without losing their form or structure.
Corens’ unrelenting effort in searching for new ideas has been fruitful, as his jewelry and tapestry are highly sought-after accessories. But there is something more to learn from his creations.

That is what Indonesian people, according to Corens, should be proud of.

“The message is that Indonesian soil is so incredibly rich. In Indonesia, you can find everything. It’s only a question of what I can do with it,” he said. He has brought 60 items of jewelry and 13 tapestries to the exhibition.

Corens also holds exhibitions regularly abroad and taps the market in European countries such as France, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany and Belgium, as well as the United States.

“Europeans are now strongly influenced by Asia,” he said of his customers.

He claims his creations are produced by nature.

“I don’t like fashioned jewelry because it loses its popularity so quickly. I try to make jewelry with character that lasts.”

On his Indonesian clients, he said their appreciation had grown in the last 10 years.

“Many years ago not many Indonesians liked to wear jewelry but now it has changed greatly. Formerly, our customers were 70 percent expatriates and 30 percent Indonesians. Now it has reversed: 70 percent Indonesians and 30 percent expats.

“But creative jewelry is everything. You must improve yourself to change, reinvent and rediscover; that’s why we search for your material.”

Environmental message

Observing his collection of art work one must be aware about the artist’s allegiance to nature and his earthy message from the materials he uses.

“I love everything that’s natural. We never use plastic. We are against it because it needs years and years to depose of it and still it is indestructible.

“Plastic has no structure and is lifeless,” he said.

Corens is an all-round artist. Apart from his jewelry and tapestry, he is also renowned for his prowess in sculpture, the field that has acquainted him with Hendra Hadiprana.

“I once visited a sculpture exhibition of his five years ago. What beautiful art work it was; it was so smooth. We have been in contact since then and now we have brought him here,” Hadiprana, who owns the gallery, said.

Corens also has an education background in theater. His CV includes work as a lecturer in theater arts. He had stints in several European and Asian countries — Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Thailand — before he ended up in Indonesia following his assignment to Gadjah Mada University in 1989.

After working as a tutor at the university and Yogyakarta Arts Institute for a few years Corens found the city an attractive place to live.

“I simply stayed,” he said when asked about his decision. “I didn’t go away. I feel at home. It’s automatic. The atmosphere, environment … I like them very much.”

He is resolved to reside permanently. “I’m not returning (to Belgium). When asked about his family, he said: “I don’t have much family anymore. I have only a sister who lives in Belgium.”

Although Corens sees an end to his roaming he is seeing to it that his creativity continues.

Adventures with textile, silver and …
Exhibition of jewelry and tapestry
by Rudi Corens (Belgium) Yogyakarta
Forum Lounge
Mitra Hadiprana ground floor
Jl. Kemang Raya 30
South Jakarta
through June 13

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