Preserving Art and Culture of Betawi on Sarnadi Adam's Canvas

Cultural preservation can of course be done from any media. Like what is done by Sarnadi Adam who was born in Simprug, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, August 27, 1956, choosing a painting media to preserve the art and culture of Betawi.

Besides being a source of inspirational energy and pouring in love, painting is one of the ways I do in caring for and preserving Betawi arts and culture

Through his brush strokes on the canvas, he tries to describe Betawi art and culture from a more humanistic side so as not to be swallowed by the times. One of them is a painting about seven Betawian female dancers dialogue on display at the Fairmont Hotel, Jalan Asia Afrika No. 8, Central Jakarta.

"Besides being a source of inspirational energy and pouring in love, painting is one of the ways I do in caring for and preserving Betawi arts and culture," he expressed, Monday (7/1).

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Not just about the dancers, he who was an alumnus of Yogyakarta Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) also displays paintings with other Betawi nuances. They are Palang Pintu, Panen Ikan 1 and 2, Warung in Rawa Simprug Village, Old House of Jalan Pejagalan and Sunda Kelapa Port 1.

This talent has existed since childhood. At that time, he liked to draw pictures on the ground after the rain using tree branches. 

His seriousness in painting was continued up to formal education in the Indonesian fine arts school and the Yogyakarta ISI.

"In 1979, I began to consistently paint things related to Betawi, starting from the lifestyle, customs, situation, conditions and Betawi arts and culture with a nostalgic decorative style," he told.

According to him, artistic Betawi arts and culture coupled with the harmonious and peaceful social life of the community became an interesting inspiration in his paintings.

"I often paint objects of performing arts, namely dance as Betawi dance art represents various cultures," told a lecturer in painting at Jakarta State University (UNJ).

And now, at the age of 44 years old, he has worked and painted Betawi arts and culture. During that time, he became a witness of every physical development of the Jakarta City.

"Jakarta Provincial Government is very concerned about the sustainability and development of Betawi arts and culture. For example, that is by displaying Betawi art in every anniversary of Jakarta and other art events," he uttered.

Even he wants the city to establish an art school for SMK. "We need this to continue to study the arts, culture and norms of Betawi," he stressed.