Two years ago, in 1999, Nurchoilis discovered a breakthrough painting technique, that being the use of actual nude human bodies to create prints of nude figures directly upon the canvass. This technique, using the human body to make prints on canvas, could be defined as a type of monoprint common in graphic art. However, the graphic art results of these "body prints" are surprising. The traces of paint left after the body is pressed against the canvas give rise to a transparent effect not unlike the visual results of x-rays. The development of this body printing technique clearly involved a great deal of experimentation before the effects mentioned above could be achieved. Nurcholis has had to test the tension of the canvasses used as the base for the printing process. He has also had to find just the right consistency for the paint and the correct level of dampness for the human body used to make the prints. Eventually he discovered the perfect tension for the canvasses he is painting in order to get the effect he has achieved as mentioned above. He has also been able to find the appropriate kind of pigment and just the right consistency for the oil based color used on the body being prepared for the printing process.

The printing of the figure, which is done on the floor, is achieved by placing the body of the model in a reclining position flat on the canvas to create an imprint. In this way, Nurcholis is able to present prints of figures not affected by the impact of gravity (figures without gesture). This makes it seem as if the figures in the paintings created by Nurcholis are floating within the space of the canvas.

Nurcholis does not stop at just this body printing. He retouches the results of the body printing. In fact he even achieves realistic portrayals of the figures over the top of the transparent printed figures. These additional touches create an awe-inspiring effect in that the image of the body on the canvas is reversed.

Just as a graphic print always presents a mirror image of the original image used in the printing, the results of Nurcholis' body printing are mirror images of the bodies of the models used in the printing process. However, when he touches up the prints with realistic depictions of the figures, a tension between the "printed image" and the "realistic depiction" arises. When the viewer observes and explores the sections of the painting created with body printing (transparent figures reminiscent of x-rays), one discovers "printed images" that present the figure as facing away from the viewer. However, when the viewer observes and explores the realistic depictions done over the top of the printed figures, one will perceive the figures as suddenly shifting position from facing away from the viewer to facing toward the viewer.

This back and forth effect brings the paintings of Nurcholis into the realm of realistic depictions of figures and nudity. Because of this, his exhibition in Yogyakarta in 2000, created a major stir. His paintings were considered vulgar, and he was criticized for presenting nudity in a public place.

Jim Supangkat

Born on July 17, 1969 in Jepara.
Studied at Indonesia Institute of The Arts (ISI), Yogyakarta (BFA; 1994).

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
1998 Solo Café Gallery, Solo.
1999 "Outside of Ecosystem", Vredeburg Fortress, Yogyakarta.
2000 "Rhythm of Soul", Art Case Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
1998 "Syawalan", Vredeburg Fortress, Yogyakarta.
1999 "A Couple Artist Exhibition II", Surabaya.
2000 "Muscle and Emotion", Dirix Art Gallery, Yogyakarta.
2001 Philip Morris Indonesia Art Awards, National Gallery, Jakarta; "Represented - Bodies", Nadi Gallery, Jakarta.
2002 "Interaction I", Sienna Gallery, Semarang.
2003 The Beppu Asia Contemporary Art Exhibition 2003, Oita, Japan.

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