UNS – Fine Arts students of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta showcased more than 100 artworks. They presented them in the 12th edition of the Titik Awal exhibition. The Fine Arts Study Program, Faculty of Arts and Design (FSRD), organized this three-day exhibition. It run from Friday (25/4/2025) to Sunday (27/4/2025) at the Central Java Cultural Park Gallery (Taman Budaya Jawa Tengah/TBJT), Surakarta.
First launched in 2012, Titik Awal has become an annual tradition of the Fine Arts Study Program. This year’s event presents debut works from the 2023 student intake. The exhibition carries the theme Titik Awal (Starting Point). It serves as a platform for students to display artworks created through academic assignments and personal exploration.
Exhibition Highlights Debut Works
Dr. Sigit Purnomo Adi, S.Sn., M.Sn., Head of the Fine Arts Study Program and Co-Curator, emphasized Titik Awal’s deeper meaning. He stated that the exhibition helps shape students’ artistic identity and supports their creative development. In addition, the exhibition marks a significant milestone for students entering the professional art world.
“Early-semester students of UNS FSRD’s Fine Arts Program organized this exhibition. True to its name, Titik Awal marks their first step in the creative process,” Dr. Sigit said on Sunday (27/4/2025).
The exhibition features over 100 artworks, including sketches, Indonesian ornamentation, and two-dimensional visual designs (nirmana dwimatra). It also showcases paintings, prints, ceramics, sculptures, and installation pieces. These installations allow visitors to interact with works that align with the theme of beginnings and personal exploration.
Moreover, the year-long preparation included concept development, artwork selection, and catalog compilation. Dr. Sigit expressed hope that similar events will continue in the future to nurture students’ creative development.
“This exhibition provides a learning space for freshmen to understand how to organize, curate, and present art to the public,” he concluded.
Promoting Artistic Growth and Resilience
Among the standout pieces was a painting titled She by Sekar Nurbayyinah. The canvas portrays a side-view of a human skeleton facing a large mirror with a broken golden frame. The mirror reflects abstract white and orange-yellow fragments, symbolizing shattered memories. A dark background adds drama to the interaction between the skeleton and its reflection.
In the exhibition catalog, Sekar explained that the skeleton represents the core self, while the mirror embodies painful memories. “Still, people must embrace them as part of life’s journey,” she wrote. Her work received notable attention from both visitors and curators.
The Titik Awal 12 exhibition received positive responses from attendees, including UNS lecturers and art enthusiasts. Furthermore, the event not only fulfills academic objectives but also inspires students to keep creating and enhancing their artistic abilities.
The consistent annual presentation of Titik Awal reflects UNS’s strong commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. By participating in real-world exhibitions, students experience the art world beyond theory, gaining practical insights and confidence as emerging artists.
Humas UNS
