Senior artist AD Pirous passed away in Bandung, West Java, Tuesday evening. He is an inspirational teacher.
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By
ILHAM KHOIRI
·4 minutes read
KOMPAS/FABIO MARIA LOPES COSTA
Teachers, employees, and alumni paid their final respects to the late Abdul Djalil (AD) Pirous in the East Hall of the Bandung Institute of Technology, West Java, on Wednesday (17/4/2024). Pirous was the first dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design at the Bandung Institute of Technology in 1984.
"We are all here to pay our final respects, appreciation for his dedication, and his love for ITB, the nation, and the country during his lifetime," said the Rector of the Bandung Institute of Technology, Reini Wirahadikusumah, during the funeral ceremony of Abdul Djalil (AD) Pirous (92) in the East Hall of the campus on Wednesday morning, April 17, 2024.
AD Pirous died at Borromeus Hospital, Bandung, Tuesday (16/4/2024), at around 20.32 WIB. The body was prayed for and prayed at the Salman Mosque, then buried at the Cibarunai Public Cemetery (TPU), Sarijadi, Bandung City, Wednesday afternoon. The deceased was accompanied to his final resting place by his family (wife, children, in-laws, grandchildren), fellow lecturers, a number of artists, students and tolan friends.
Born on March 11, 1932 in Meulaboh, Aceh, Pirous is known as a figure with multiple dimensions: artist, teacher, academic officer, organizer, and cultural thinker. Appointed as a lecturer at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design (FSRD) at ITB since 1964, he later became dean (1984-1991), professor since 1994, and emeritus professor in 2005. After returning from Graphic Design and Printmaking studies at Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, USA (1969-1970), he pioneered the graphic design study program at ITB.
As a teacher, Pirous continually encourages his students to discover their own potential. His polite, cheerful, open, warm, and disciplined demeanor easily radiates positive energy to anyone who meets him. Thanks to this approach, many of his students have succeeded in pursuing various professions, ranging from artists, lecturers, researchers, curators, art gallery managers, officials, businessmen, or journalists.
Iwan Meulia Pirous, the son of the deceased, remembers his father well who liked to describe a teacher with the idiom "Gardener". "The gardener is friendly and makes all kinds of plants grow to find their own beauty, without coercion," he said in a speech at the funeral ceremony.
Pirous also developed the concept of artistic thinking through research and writing. His thesis in 1964 was published as a book,The Art of Advertising as a Propaganda Tool for Struggle(2022). Likewise, a collection of his writings about fine arts and culture from 1963 to 2003 was also published as the book Painting is Writing (2003). Apart from that, anthropology professor from the United States, Kenneth George, wrote several books about this figure. One of them, AD Pirous: Vision, Faith, and a Journey in Indonesian Art (written with Mamannoor, 2002).
The late individual was gifted with fluency in speaking at various national and international forums. Sharp ideas accompanied by clear articulation made their communication easily accepted by various parties. Combined with their well-organized management skills, they successfully organized several monumental art programs.
One of his achievements was holding the Istiqlal Festival I (1991) and II (1995), along with several other figures, which encouraged the exploration of a distinct Indonesian identity in the eyes of the global community. The program included the opening of the Baitul Quran and Istiqlal Museum in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), Jakarta in 1996. "We want to display the expression of cultural arts in the Nusantara that is imbued with Islam. The expression is very pluralistic, broad, and distinct because it interacts with the local environment," said Pirous in a conversation with Bentara Budaya Podcast in Bandung on April 20, 2023.
In the practice of art, Pirous is known as the locomotive of modern calligraphy art. His works combine the classical calligraphy style of the archipelago with a touch of fresh, colorful modern abstract visuals. Despite often featuring Arabic calligraphy text in his paintings, his beautiful art captivates audiences from various religious and belief backgrounds.
Researcher Kenneth George diligently explores the expression of Islamic art in Indonesia, one of which is reflected in the creative process of AD Pirous. He found efforts to embody the Islamic spirit in the form of art.
“In calligraphy paintings, for example, the visual appearance is attractive because it is beautiful. This relates to the skills to process the aesthetic elements of fine art. Textually, the painting is also meaningful because it quotes calligraphic texts originating from verses from the Koran or hadith. "For people who understand Arabic, it is a very valuable message," said Kenneth in an interview with Kompas, 21 August 2011.
Until his death, Pirous was active in painting and exhibiting. Currently, he is even showing his screen-printed graphic works in the Art that Reaches exhibitionat Serambi Pirous in Bukit Pakar, Bandung. This performance also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the birth of Decenta (Design Center Association), which Pirous founded with several artists in Bandung.
In a number of his paintings, Pirous often uses the expression from Islamic tradition that the best human beings are those who provide the most benefit to other humans. Not only was it made into a beautiful painting, this artist also tried to put the message into practice in real life. During his lifetime, he radiated creative energy and positive inspiration to many groups, especially to continue to advance Indonesian culture. This commitment has been carried out, especially since becoming a teacher at FSRD ITB in 1964.
Pirous is committed to being a useful human being. Until the end of his life, he did not stop working. “Creating is a form of gratitude for what God has given to humans. There is no such thing as retirement for artistic work. "Only, now I have to be willing to make peace with my physical strength which is gradually decreasing," he said in an interview with Kompas, April 1 2007.
KOMPAS/EDDY HASBY
Petra Valley by AD Pirous at the Artina contemporary art exhibition with the Matrajiva theme at the Sarinah Building, Jakarta, Sunday (12/03/2023).
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