Melani Setiawan:
The Mother of Indonesian Artists
FILM DETAILS
Director: Erwin Darmali
Running time: 26 minutes
Genre: Documentary Short Biographical
Rating: G
Release Year: 2024
ABOUT THE FILM
This story is about an incredible character and transformational journey of Dr. Melani Setiawan, from a woman who saw paintings as decorative pieces for her home, to becoming one of the most influential and highly regarded person both in the Indonesian art world as well as internationally.
Her curiosity led her to learn about the message artists were trying to convey through their art. Seeing the challenges they face, she started helping them in any way she could. She became the biggest true supporter for artists, through ways that defy all norms.
Artists fondly call her:
The Mother of Indonesian Artists.
THEMES / KEY TAKEAWAYS
Impact: Through her generous selfless acts to support artists while meticulously archiving their written conversations, her photographs of the artists became a perspective of archives that has never been seen before, opening doors to potential new analyses to be made to better understand the missing components of the history and roots of the Indonesian Art World.
Perspective: Her true character and story, told by stakeholders in the Indonesian art world: Historian, Fair Director, Artists, Collector, and Educator.
Purpose: Created as the visual companion to her landmark book, Indonesia Art World - 1977-2022 - a book containing her archives and stories of her experiences with Indonesian artists.
MEDIA / STILLS GALLERY
FILM CREDITS
Director, Producer, Cinematography, Editor: Erwin Darmali
Featuring Interviews with:
Jim Supangkat [Art Historian / Curator]
Tom Tandio [Fair Director]
Entang Wiharso [Artist]
Sunaryo [Artist]
A.D. Pirous [Artist]
Tisna Sanjaya [Artist]
Eddy Prakoso [Founder, Srisasanti Gallery]
Asmudjo Jono Arianto [Artist, Art Lecturer at ITB]
Teddy Lazuardi [collector]
RECOGNITION
Premiere: Headliner opening of Art Jakarta 2024
Special Screening: Book launch ceremony at ISI Yogyakarta, June 2025
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