Two Women Exhibition: Jimbaran, Bali

Two Women, an exhibition of art by Yasco Kanehira and Yenny Yohan, opened at Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay on April 30. The exhibition is due to run through May 31. In this exhibition the paintings of both artists illustrate their interior worlds in entirely different styles that are at once evocative, yet mysterious.

Kanehira spent many years in India, which has strongly influenced the theme of the cycle of life, death and rebirth which are present in her paintings.

“Every day, life is my inspiration,” said Kanehira.

Her painting Live! Live! Live! suggests a childhood innocence; a large pink flower is at the center of the composition surrounded by smaller charcoal drawings of flowers. The words “live! live! live!” are etched in the bottom-right corner.

Unspoken is also a poignant piece in mute gray-and-white tones with incomplete phrases that were never spoken to someone who has broken someone’s heart.

The viewer is permitted to step into Kanehira’s world and imagine for that moment what she may have been thinking or feeling.
Yasco utilizes mostly soft pastel colors, such as pale blues, aquamarine and pinks in her works. The colors create a mood of joy and playfulness that is almost tangible to the viewer. In contrast, the painting Counting is primarily done with charcoal on a white background.

“We are always counting — calculating numbers in our mind. What are the years that seem to fly by?” These words are written on the painting with individual years from 1975 to 2007 along with the word “Patience“.

Flowers are pushing upward in search of the light perhaps? A sole bird’s wing floats beside it.

On the other side of the gallery are Yenni’s paintings, which are entirely different from Yasco’s work. Immediately, one is struck by the deep rich gold and brown colors used in Yenni’s works.

In Reflections III the barbed wire looks as though it is cutting through the painting; sharp red spikes are conjoined with the wire. The image is powerful and thought-provoking, giving the viewer a glimpse into Yenni’s interior world.

Wishful Thinking III also employs the same sharp cuts on a background of deep browns, heavy black and hints of red. There is a great deal of texture and depth in Yenni’s works, while the darkness in her paintings reflects her intuitive state of mind.

“If I do not feel good, I cannot paint”, said Yenni. This is quite obvious in Bustling Underground III, which depicts a red spherical shape moving swiftly. One can sense the happiness and freedom that Yenni so deftly conveys.

The paintings of both artists are significant because they have both managed to convey their inner worlds in truly unique ways. Their extremely different perspectives challenge the viewer to consider the multitude of ways emotions can be expressed through art.

Yenni was born in Bandung, West Java, in 1973. Her first solo exhibition, Emotional Rhythms, was held at Ganesha Gallery in 2004. She has also exhibited her paintings at both Cemara 6 gallery in 2005 and Koi Gallery in 2006 in Jakarta.

In 2007, Yenni’s exhibit, Inner Beauty, was held at The Peak Resort Dining restaurant in Bandung. This is her third group exhibit in Indonesia.

Yasco Kanehira was born in Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan, in 1975. Her first solo exhibition was held at the Craft and Gallery Miki in Kurashiki, Japan in 1994.

She also exhibited her work in Jaipur, India, in 1999 in a show titled: All Day, All Night Suffering.

In 2004 she had her first solo exhibit in Indonesia. Reborn was held at the Alam Kulkul Resort in Bali. She has had three group exhibits in Japan. This is her first group exhibit in Indonesia.

Two Women
Yasco Kanehira and Yenny Yohan
Ganesha Gallery
Four Seasons Resort Bali
Jimbaran Bay, Bali
runs through May 31

Article: Michele Lee