Dyan, the Search for Self
By Kuss Indarto Dyan Anggraini went to “ASRI” Yogyakarta Art Institute in an advantageous time in terms of creativity. She began her study in the 1976 academic year. Among her peers were artists Haris Purnama, and the late Hardjiman. It was the time that became an important episode in the history of Indonesian art, one year following the “Black December Affair”. “Black December Manifesto” was signed on the 31 st of December 1974 by a group of young artists that include FX Harsono, Hardi, Bonyong Munni Ardhi, M. Sulebar, Siti Adiyati, D.A. Peransi, Muryotohartoyo, Juzwar, Baharudin Marasutan, Ikranegara, and Abdul Hadi WM, two years prior to Dyan Anggraini’s enrollment in the Art Institute. It was a culture affair around the subject of art that resonated for many years and even still does till now. The emergence of Gerakan Seni Rupa Baru (GSRB, ‘New Art Movement’) that follows boosted the affair. As part of the Black December Manifesto, point five or...