Exhibiting Practical Arts and Drawing, Undiksha Students Win International Champion

Singaraja- International-level achievements in arts events have been achieved one after another by students of the Fine Arts Education Study Program at Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha (Undiksha). This time it came again from Yohanes Soubirius De Santo. This student from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) was selected as the winner in the “United Nations Development Program From The Desk of The Executive Secretary” event organized by the UN. Apart from that, there was also the “Art and Artisans” event organized by the Integrated Learning Institute for Sustainable Development and the Global Challenges Forum in Canada. These two events took place from January to February 2021. “The one at the PBB was held in the London area, England. I was selected as the winner. The one in Canada is in the Lombard Ave area. “Here I was chosen as first winner,” he explained when confirmed, Thursday (4/2/2021).

Tens of thousands of people registered to take part in this big event, consisting of trade unions, associations, corporate bodies, artists, art workers, and art craftsmen, who came from 193 countries. At the PBB event, Yohanes exhibited his final work on the creation of his lecture, namely the work of Prasi art, which is a development of the themes of Prasi art in general. “In this work, I raise the theme of culture from my home region, namely NTT. “Here I try to visualize some of the cultures that exist there,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Canada, he exhibited drawings with the theme of the struggle for roles during this pandemic. “Because I feel that this pandemic period should not be used as a transition period for self-improvement. “But it is used as a place to compete for roles in taking material, power, position, and so on,” he continued.

Preparations for taking part in this event did not last long. The work on display had been created the previous year. He emphasized that the main aim of his work is not for exhibition purposes, but rather that his work can be a health therapy for every creature. “This is my point of view regarding the world of art, where art cannot be a cure for an illness, but art can be a health therapy that can heal all the discomfort that exists in the soul and body of every creature,” he stressed. Due to this, he takes advantage of every moment to continue to hone his skills and continue to progress in the world of art.

Regarding the performance achieved, he admitted that he had never expected it before. Because it has to compete with many participants who present works that are no less great. “Of course, I am very happy and thank God for his blessings and grace, because originally I did not expect to be selected as a winner in the two big events. Capitalizing on confidence and self-confidence from within, I dared to participate,” he said.

Apart from this event, Yohanes has previously also frequently appeared in various competitions and exhibitions, both on a local, national, and international scale. Apart from that, he is also involved in international bookmaking. For him, this is to inspire a sense of confidence and optimism in everyone during this pandemic. “For 2021, apart from these 2 big events, I will also take part in exhibition activities in Lampung and exhibitions organized by the Bali Provincial Culture Service to welcome Language Month,” he concluded.(hms)