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‘Let’s work together’: the power of print in Timor-Leste
17 November 2008
The Timorese art collective and leading youth group, Gembel, has held its first exhibition in Dili, Timor Leste, with the assistance of Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA.
Mahatu’s t-shirt. Recovering Lives Across Boarders printmaking workshop, October 2008
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The title of the exhibition, 'Recovering Lives Across Borders' featured a culmination of three collaborations between Gembel and art collectives, Taring Padi, Indonesia and Culture Kitchen, Canberra with the co-ordination of the Institute for Popular Education (formerly, the Sahe Institute for Liberation). The theme of these works explored the inter-connection between the three nations in terms of the environment and social justice and promotes young Timorese as productive and critical members of society.
Over the duration of the exhibition, a printmaking workshop was also underway involving the members of the Culture Kitchen collective, Julian Laffan, Bernie Slater, Jon Priadi and Angie Bexley and Taring Padi artist, Bayu Widodo who provided technical, thematic and logistical assistance in a number of mediums of printmaking, primarily lino cut and screen printing.
The theme of the print making workshop, 'Let's work together' was reflected in the process of the workshop. All three groups were involved in the process from discussion of the important societal issues critical to all three nations to the artistic expression of these issues using lino cut. This process-orientated production of artwork served two purposes; the transfer of important skills while learning together about the ways Timor Leste, Australia and Indonesia are vitally linked and the ways in which they can work together. Importantly too, the exhibition provided an outlet for youth to both voice their experiences and to sell their artworks providing an income for the artists.
Gembel art collective was established in 2003 under the guidance of the Institute for Popular Education and comprises of both easterner and westerner youth. Given the lack of resources available to the members of this group, they have a natural inclination for DIY - a Do-It-Yourself philosophy that requires young Timorese to think creatively to meet their needs. This way of life provides a firm base for print making which requires manual manipulation of materials using hand-held tools.
Given these conditions in Timor Leste, print is a suitable communication medium. One message can be disseminated not only on paper, but on a dozen t-shirts, postcards and bags; the possibilities are endless. Print is also multi-modal. It is not constrained to a gallery context (like painting) but can be exhibited on the street and in other public places thus accessible to the general public.
The collaboration between the three groups will continue in 2009 with a focus on opportunities for young Timorese to build their capacity as print makers and print trainers, create an economy and market to promote sustainable livelihoods, strengthen the role of leading youth groups in peace building activities and strengthen the relationship between Australia and Indonesia on a people-to-people basis.
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