KERATON AND I
‘THE KERATON AND I'
A multi media art project about my ancient Javanese roots and journey back to my royal Cirebon ancestry. KERATON means a javanese royal palace. Since 2014, I've been guided through my dreams, bloodline and spirit to navigate my way back to where I originally come from. Mapping out my identity through art - ancient Indonesian essence through personal contemporary vision. Navigating his soul mission towards his origin. BAGUA JODY 2018
This journey started in 2014 when he entered Jakarta Fashion Week with an art-fashion collaboration called THE CEREMONY in collaboration with Indonesian designer Oscar lawalata. 'The Ceremony of Java’ was presented at Jakarta Fashion Week and supported by “The Erasmus Huis’, the cultural center of The Embassy of The Royal kingdom of The Netherlands, Garuda indonesia airlines , Access Indonesia visa. The after party was supported by CLUB DOMAIN of the OPCO group and Belvedere Vodka Gold.
In 2015-2016 he focused on reading family history and started developing further in to the relationship he has with The keraton Kasepuhan Cirebon. The golden fire starting burning bright in his heart, although he has not personally been there and has never physically connected with his remaining family, there.
The Keraton that holds ceremonial value and where the epicenter of the arts, religion and mixed Islamic, Animistic and Hindu rituals hold the soul of The Indonesian Pancasila and are the root of all Indonesian Arts and crafts. Even before the 16 the century the royals where considered to be the direct line from earth to the realms of heaven, guided by divine light to give to the Masyarakat , The Indonesian people of the light. Folklore and themes that entails stories from the gods to royal kings and mythology firmly rooted in the Indonesian culture that are still conveyed through the arts today are the guiding light in his current art.
In 2017 he stayed in the villa of IBU Bona in Seminyak. After his stay he was invited to stay longer in het compound to develop his art . This was the pivotal moment where 'THE KERATON AND I ‘ existed. In a state of total bliss and thankfulness he initiated an art performance. He called it ‘Art initiation in Villa Bona’.
The conceptualization of his way of working starts with a deep meditation and prayer of gratitude. Through this state of being where all elements of nature – spirit and the universe are balanced the purest works see the light. This journey, sourcing the core of concept and birth of new works was documented by Marijke Schuil. His way of working in this stage is ceremonial and spiritual. It is then, when he feels that everything aligns towards destiny and creation, a sense of ‘ENLIGHTENMENT’ is achieved when this state is balanced in strength and vulnerability.
‘ENLIGHTENMENT’
part of photography series made in collaboration with MARIJKE SCHUIL , during 'The Three Day Art Initiation Ceremony' in Vila Bona - Seminyak - Bali.
The conceptualization of his way of working starts with a deep meditation and prayer of gratitude. Through this state of being where all elements of nature – spirit and the universe are balanced the purest works see the light. This journey, sourcing the core of concept and birth of new works was documented by Marijke Schuil. His way of working in this stage is ceremonial and spiritual. It is then, when he feels that everything aligns towards destiny and creation, a sense of ‘ENLIGHTENMENT’ is achieved when this state is balanced in strength and vulnerability.
Being in state of love and openness enables him to channel the right visual and spiritual language of his art narrative.
This 3 day initiation, creation and production process developed in to a photo series, 33 drawings and paintings and a beautiful emotional journey of belonging. “ENLIGHTENMENT’. A lot of symbolism and visions of royal realms and tales of princes and princesses in golden mango tree forests came to light.
The self portraits ‘Morning Prayer of Gratitude’, “State of Being’ and ‘Holy Trinity” – 140 cm x 100 cm, mixed media on paper existed. Ideas grow and stem through the journey within and develop through this initial sourcing journey. Ideas like leaves grow out of my soul through my spine. Arjuna and I– 70 x 100 cm – mixed media op cardboard – shows my relation towards the royal golden energy innate to Indonesia.
2017 – was a production year and a year where I made more bespoke work for private collectors. Further ripping and embodying the relationship towards Cirebon and Indonesia as a whole. The country I love so much. Back in Amsterdam he developed work on bigger sized paper and canvas in order for the subject to breath and become more monumental.
This year 2018 , he kicked off the year In Bali, Indonesia. Here he met friend and art partner Gwen The. She started to firmly support him in his ways of narrating art and navigating his way back to his royal ancestry. Multiple ways of performative presentations and points of creation are diligently thought out through the compass of connection.
He live painted in BIASA art gallery and created “Gwen the princess in the golden mango tree’ – 300 x 1.40 cm, mixed media on canvas. In A house in Buduk, Mengwi ,he created 2 works on canvas ‘ Ties that Bind’ and ‘the nine princesses and the prince in the golden mango trees’. He attended a royal funeral , it was then he deeply felt that the time is ripe to show his work in multiple ways and immerse himself in Indonesia.
During the last 4 years he met a lot of people with royal ancestry that inspired him to go back to the source of his identity. Whilst he has never never physically been in The keraton Kasepuhan (royal palace in the city of Cirebon- Java - Indonesia) of Cirebon and has solely navigated his bloodline through the arts, knowing innately all values, he is excited and proud to further pursue this journey, although he finds it positively daunting at times. What is behind the door of destiny?
This year he will be going to The Keraton kasepuhan Cirebon and embark on his soul and art journey in Indonesia.
MORNING PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
In gratitude and openness my soul flourishes and the leaves of my spirit tree start sprouting, head to toe in to infinity. All art pieces are like ripe golden mango's and grow limitless, through this state of being. It enables me to create, share and guide art processes in it's essence. Black and gold I often use , as it represents my heritage and soul journey that is rooted in Indonesia.
135 cm x 100 cm
PRINCE ARJUNA AND I
The mystery of wayang, the relationship towards it and the innate energy of belonging. The realms and the now.
70 x 100 cm – mixed media op cardboard
GWEN THE PRINCESS IN THE GOLDEN MANGO TREE
300 x 1.40 cm, mixed media on canvas.
This year 2018 , he kicked off the year In Bali, Indonesia. Here he met friend and art partner Gwen The. She started to firmly support him in ways of pushing his narrative to higher echelons. Deep discussions and strategic navigating of the art was commencing. the conveying of his royal roots in synergetic co- creation, opening new dimensions and art possibilities. A time of being guided by higher purpose and kismet was rapidly developing out of the seasoned core of Jody's vision. Joined love for Indonesian ancient culture in a modern contemporary vision became a joint vocation. Art journeys and processes equal life for Bagua Jody and when meeting the right persons that resonate with the same energy makes for a winning team in multiple ways. Diving deep in to unknown within the frame of the concept.
Through Gwen The, he live painted in BIASA ART GALLERY and created “Gwen the princess in the golden mango tree’. This live ceremonial painting enabled Gwen to see the power of the essence of the story and creation of this big canvas.She became part of this soul journey and somehow married in to an artistic process. People where able to live see and experience the work and energy in the making. Omangamie assisted the process by making space and documenting this whole process of creating. This way of live painting and making a piece for people, locations and events will be a core way of presenting and making original work where the party is involved in the experience and subject. The royalty is within everyone especially who , that support his vision. THE DREAM : Jody mission is to give back and revive ancient stories through his modern vision. The philantropist in him sees the urgency to help other supressed talented artists in Indonesia as his life work. He wants to donate 13 percent of his hard worked revenue in to a fund called BAGUA JODY WISHING WELL.