Delsy Sjamsumar, Indonesian Cross-Visual Artist

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The Film Committee of Jakarta Arts Council or DKJ presents an exhibition of visual cross-work films and fine arts by artist Delsy Sjamsumar. Delsy's consistency in creating can serve as an example for art practitioners in the country.

The exhibition, which is part of the DKJ Fest 2023 series, features a number of replica memoirs of works by a man born in Agam Regency, West Sumatra, in 1935. The curator of the DKJ film exhibition, Yuki Aditya, said that Delsy is an example of an artist who is consistent and always delivers the best works.

"Delsy is a consistent cross-disciplinary artist. Despite exploring various art forms, it does not mean that Delsy lacks a clear stance. In fact, she is always consistent in the type of art she specializes in," said Yuki in Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, on Friday (23/6/2023)."

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This exhibition titled "Visual Crossover: Delsy in Film and Fine Arts". The exhibition will be held from June 23 to July 7, 2023, from 10.00-20.00 at Galeri Cipta 1, Trisno Soemardjo Building, Taman Ismail Marzuki.

Yuki said that Delsy, who graduated from INS Kayutanam High School, Padang Pariaman, in 1949, was originally better known as a comic artist. When he first went to Jakarta in 1954, he worked as a comic artist for Aneka magazine.

In her career journey, she has also tried other art forms such as painting, design, and film. Nevertheless, when looking at the history records of cinema and fine arts, it is difficult to find the name and figure of Delsy. However, based on document research and historical witnesses, Yuki actually found Delsy's central role in the world of Indonesian cinema and comics.

filmography

In the front room of the exhibition at the Cipta 1 Gallery, Taman Ismail Marzuki, there is a replica of Delsy's storyboard work. According to Yuki, Delsy may have been the first person to use storyboard in film production, when he was the artistic director of the film Holiday in Bali (1962). From that film, he was awarded as "Best Color Arrangement-Decoration" in the Asian Festival in Japan in 1973.

"From research and historical tracing, Delsy was the first person in Indonesia to use storyboards during film production. It is not surprising that Delsy uses this medium, because he is a comic artist, "said Yuki.

Despite pursuing various art forms, it does not mean that Delsy does not have a personal stance. In fact, she has always been consistent in every art form she pursues.

The late 1980s was a busy year for Delsy to be involved in film production. He was involved in the film No Man's Bed, Eagle from the South (1988), Saur Sepuh III (1989), Prabu Anglingdarma, Saur Sepuh IV ( 1990). In 1991, he was again named the best artistic director of the film Saur Sepuh IV.

Despite being busy in film, Delsy does not forget art, comics and painting. In 1978, he became editor and comic artist on the comic Sentot Ali Basha, from the Java War to the Padri War (1978).

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In the comic, the story revolves around Sentot Prawirodirdjo or Sentot Ali Basha who was involved in the Java War that took place between 1825-1830 and the Padri War (1805-1837).

"One of the interesting things about Delsy is that she often writes about characters or stories outside of the main character. For example, when making a comic about the Java War and the Paderi War, most comic artists would probably focus on the central figures of Prince Diponegoro or Imam Bonjol," she said.

The painting about Sentot later became the last work of art made in 2000. As for the last time in film production, Delsy was involved as a supervisor in the colossal film Fatahillah (1996). Apart from these two works, Delsy also remained active in painting a number of the nation's great figures before he breathed his last in 2001 in Jakarta.

A number of visitors to the exhibition were amazed by Delsy Sjamsumar's work. Fahat (31) is quite familiar with the films Anglingdarma and Saur Sepuh, but does not know the artistic director.

"Usually, the audience only knows the actors, producers, or directors. Now they know that behind those epic scenes, there is this person (Delsy)," said Fahat.

Eliza (22), a Communication Science student from State University of Jakarta, expressed the same opinion. According to her, upon seeing Delsy's works displayed, the name is worthy of being considered as part of the nation's art figures.