Conrad Bali has launched a month of living art in its East Lobby Lounge with The Journey of Happiness exhibition by John Martono starting on 10 November 2022. A textile artist by training, John Martono is famous for his work combining painting with hand embroidery on silk. For The Journey of Happiness collection, 46 pieces will be showcased depicting his emotions through the artworks. Until 10 December 2022, audiences can enjoy a delicate collection combining painting, hand stitches done by the local community living within the surrounding compound of his house in Bandung, and a splash of colors on silk and something that is aesthetically pleasing yet unpredictable and challenges the boundaries of classical art.
Released for the first time in 2000, the collection will make its debut in Bali. The collection has a special meaning for John Martono, “The Journey of Happiness is a realization of a process that after all this time coming up with concepts and working in fine arts, that in and of itself it is own happiness,” he explains.
Starting his artistic journey with a Master's Degree in Textile Design at Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), John Martono went on to work as a lecturer in textile design where he received an achievement award for work and innovation in 2017. John Martono’s techniques come from his interest in exploring textiles with abstract paintings. His work is experimental and intuitive, creating textural effects in his abstract compositions.
John Martono’s works have traveled all over the world wowing audiences from Bangkok, Korea, and Japan to Florida. Closer to home, one of his most famous collections of large-scale murals can be seen in Bandung, Indonesia, where he painted massive bridge overpasses bringing vibrancy to the urban landscape. His works can be found hanging in luxury hotels around the world, stylish designer homes, and even airport terminals.
On 11 November 2022, guests were pampered on the opening night with a painting workshop, cocktail night, and an interactive dance performance by Kita Poleng Bali. John Martono was showcasing a very special live painting during the dance on a material that is being held by the moving dancers resulting in a unique art piece. The event was celebrated by some guests including art collectors, business owners, fashion designers, and two ministers, Basuki Hadimuljono (Minister of Public Works and Public Housing) and Teten Masduki (Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises).
The evening continued with a VIP dinner hosted by John Martono to discuss further his collections and creative inspiration amidst the beautiful dinner prepared by the Conrad Bali team. “I'm a fan of John's colors and strokes. Firm, elegant, deep, and feminine. That kind of element that I enjoy and admire in life,” said Gwen The, International Ambassador Indonesia from Platform Official Australia (Art Collective) who attended the event. The pieces are easy to adore as it combines an intricate technique of hand stitching and delicate painting on textile.
“This exhibition is one of our initiatives to support local artists and arts through different activities,” said Suci Maharani, Conrad Bali’s Senior Digital Marketing Manager. Conrad Bali hopes to inspire guests and the public alike with different forms of interesting art brought to them by local talent.