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Every artist knows that just about anything can be used as a source of inspiration — including your own marriage. Promising young comics artist and newlywed Amalia Kartika decided to focus on that theme in her new exhibition, “Just Married.”

Curator Jim Supangkat said the exhibition was Amalia’s unique way of looking at her own marriage.

“The main element of this exhibition is Amalia’s contemplation on her own marriage,” he said.

Amalia, who married Yurra Yudhistira in July after the pair dated for five years, said she got the idea when she was conducting a solo exhibition last year, “Happily (N)ever After,” in which she questioned why most Western fairy tales have happy endings.

Amalia and Yurra went through many obstacles before they finally got married. “It was a very long process,” Amalia said.

Through her paintings, statues and installations, Amalia said she wanted to share this long and winding journey. She said her goal with this exhibition was to answer many questions that other couples might have, such as, “How does it really feel to be married?,” “Is it easy to get married?” or even “Is it really necessary to get married?”

Born in Bandung in 1987, Amalia studied visual communication and design at Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). Since 2006, she has been involved in many art exhibitions across the country, including the sculpture exhibition “Ekspansi” (“Expansion”) last month at Galeri Nasional.

As a comics artist who is heavily influenced by Japanese manga, Amalia puts at least one of her two iconic characters, symbolizing herself and her husband, in each painting she makes.

In “Just Married,” Amalia continues this unique style, which adds a personal and intimate touch to her paintings.

In a pair of paintings called “Domestic God” and “Domestic Goddess,” Amalia depicts the roles of husband and wife. Yurra is pictured as a multitasking man with his multiple hands holding a steering wheel, a smartphone, a cup of coffee and many other items. Amalia is seen as a “superwoman,” reflecting the numerous responsibilities she took on as a newlywed.

In “Other Half,” Amalia reflects on the nature of her bond with Yurra, with a half of each of their faces combining to form one new whole.

A drawing titled “You Are My Home” depicts Yurra as Amalia’s new home, a place where she can find shelter and happiness. A big male cartoon-character face, representing Yurra, was drawn on the front panel of a red house, while three female characters, depicting Amalia, appear cheerfully around the house.

Despite the positive nature of many of the pieces, Amalia said that in marriage, things are not always perfect.

“There are moments when you are happy, but there are also times when you are sad,” she said.

One of the biggest challenges in a marriage, she said, was accommodating each other’s dreams and desires as well those of your parents and friends.

As with her previous work, Amalia has crafted an exhibition of bright and colorful paintings that deliver a specific message but also give off an air of playfulness and fun.

The teak frames used to display the work contrast beautifully with the rich acrylics of the pieces.

Amalia said although she created all of the artwork herself, Yurra chipped in by helping brainstorm ideas and providing his full support along the way.

Although comics used to have a negative image in the art world, Jim said that situation was changing. “Now comics have become part of mainstream art,” he said.

Amalia said that comics illustration in Indonesia had seen significant development over the past few years, with new talented artists emerging on the scene.

Jim added that comics had a valuable role to play in contemporary society.

“Comics have become a very important medium of communication,” he said. Not only do comics help children learn to read, he said, but they can inspire kids to draw. Comics have transformed “the identity of our young generation.”

Just Married
Amalia Kartika solo exhibition
Until August 14
Jakarta Art District
Grand Indonesia 
Central Jakarta
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