| Art Jewelry and Indonesian Gemstone Exhibition June 9, 2011 marks the 15th anniversary of ARMA (The Agung Rai Museum of Art), a fascinating and important museum of old and modern Indonesian paintings in one of the most beautiful grounds anywhere in Indonesia. On this occasion ARMA will hold an exhibition entitled: Paintings by Angels, The Amazing Gemstones of Indonesia—and Jewels by Irwan. Despite its title this is not an exhibition of paintings—it is an exhibition of amazing gemstones that sometimes do really look like paintings. According to Pak Irwan, an expat who has lived in Indonesia for over 40 years, this will be a collection of truly “Couture Jewelry”, unique one-of-a- kind pieces using rare and extraordinary Indonesian gemstones and other jewelry materials. According to Pak Irwan there will be jewelry made with Opals from Banten, Indonesian natural “keshi” South Sea Pearls, Picture Agates (Mount Fuji, the Arabic word “Allah”, landscapes and more), the amazing Fossilized Coral that looks like bouquets of flowers (and only exists in Indonesia), Chrysocolla, Drusy gems, as well as from rare tropical woods such as Gaharu (agarwood), the beautiful wood that produces the most expensive perfume essence in the world. There will also be jewelry from stingray tails, 100-year-old ivory, fossils and many other incredible materials you might not think could be made into body adornment. The jewelry is not cheap (Rp. 3,000,000 – 100,000,000), but each piece is unique—totally different from other jewelry you see in Bali. Although the official opening (by Agung Rai himself) will be held on June 9th, the “soft opening” will be on June 3rd for impatient jewelry buffs and the exhibition will last through July 8th. It is open seven days a week, 9 am- 6 pm and there is no entrance fee. However by paying Rp. 40,000 (about $ 4.50) you can visit the museum and wander around the fabulous grounds, and have a meal or drink at Cafe ARMA. One unique element to this exhibition--you will be able to choose a stone (from a collection of 100’s) and have it set (and ready to take with you) by the hand of a quality Balinese silversmith in a day or so. Irwan Holmes is a master American designer who has exhibited around the world and won many awards including 1st prize for design in a major ASEAN design contest and 1st prize for design in Paris in 2006 at the very important BijOrcha exhibition. This ARMA exhibition will also be an “award- winning” event. Jewels by Irwan and Gemstones of Indonesia can be seen at Jakarta: Koi Kemang Cafe Gallery, Jl. Kemang Raya 72, Jakarta Workshop—Jl. Ciputat Raya 50, Ciputat, Tangerang. E-mail: dmulia98@yahoo.com Bali: Treasures (Ary’s Warung) Jl. Ubud Raya, Bali Hati-Ku Jewelry Made’s Warung, Seminyak, Kute, Bali ARMA (Agung Rai Museum of Art) Gift Shop Ubud, Bali |
| Jewels by Irwan and Gemstones of Indonesia |
