TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Although many would see street art as vandalism ruining the beauty of a city, Edu Hostel in Yogyakarta brings murals into its walls.
“That one over there was made in 2011,” said Hostel Manager, Andre Suryana Yahya to Tempo, on Monday, June 22.
He pointed a mural adorning the side of the hostel’s main entrance. The color is so prominent that it steals attentions of visitors.
“That was the first made by Zent,” he added.
Zent is the initial name of a 24-year-old street artist from Yogyakarta who had painted murals on the walls on Edu Hostels since four years ago. Murals can be found in the lobby, dining room, pool, and on the walls of 60 rooms inside the hostel located on Jl. Letjen Suprapto.
When Tempo met Zent and his fellow artists on Saturday in the Yogyakarta Street Art Forum during “Merti Kampung” event in Bausasran, Yogyakarta, he asked us not to mention his real name. This is because street artists are often blamed for damages in public facility and people’s houses.
Zent’s developed his drawing skill by self-learning. He started to paint mural when he was in junior highschool.
“I often paint human object,” said the artist.
However, none of Zent’s murals on Edu Hostel’s walls resembles figures of humans. This is of course, made by the order of the client.
“I asked Zent not to draw people,” said Arman, the owner of the hostel, who wanted to give particular characteristic to his hostel.
Arman found Zent’s work when he was scouting for models of murals on the city walls. Using “Zent” as a keyword in an internet search, Arman searched zent’s identity. He said he is happy to give the opportunity to the street artist.
“I am benefited, and they are also benefited,” Arman said.
ANANG ZAKARIA
