Danarto

A writer and artist. His father was Jakio Harjodinomo, a sugar factory foreman. His mother named Siti Aminah, small batik traders in the market. His work is well known especially of which is a collection of short stories, Godlob. Another collection of short stories, Adam Ma’rifat, won the Literature Prize 1982 Jakarta Arts Council and Main Book Gifts 1982. In 2009 Danarto accept Ahmad Bakrie Award for literary field.

After completing his education at the elementary school (SD) and junior high school (SMP), he continued his schooling at secondary school (SMA) in literature section in Solo. In 1958–1961 he studied at Indonesian Institute of the Arts, Yogyakarta (ASRI) majoring in Art. During this period, he also edited the children’s magazine, “Si Kuncung”. Until 1964, he was a member of the art and drama group “Sanggarbambu” (Bamboo Monastery). In 1969–1974 he worked as a poster at the arts center jakarta, Taman Ismail Marzuki. In 1973 he became a lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts LPKJ (now IKJ) Jakarta. He was the chief designer for the Indonesian cultural group that visited Osaka, Japan, for Expo ’70. During 1978, he toured Europe and Asia with a theatrical troupe, led by the choreographer and director Sardono, acting and designing sets. In 1988, he received the S.E.A. Write Award. In later years, he has worked as a theatrical director in Jakarta.¹

Danarto work includes: Orang Jawa Naik Haji [A Javanese on the Haj Pilgrimage] (Grafitipers, 1984); Berhala [Idol] (Pustaka Firdaus, 1987);Gergasi [Giant] (Pustaka Firdaus, 1993); Asmaraloka [Abode of Love] (Pustaka Firdaus, 1999); and Setangkai Melati di Sayap Jibril [A Sprig of Jasmine on Gabriel’s Wings] (Bentang, 2001). His book Godlob has been translated into English by Hary Aveling under the title of Abracadabra.

Danarto worked as an artist at the Media Komunikasi [Communications Media] at Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Centre from 1968 to 1975. He was a lecturer in the Fine Arts Department, Jakarta Arts Institute [Institut Kesenian Jakarta—IKJ] from 1973 to 1984, and worked as an illustrator and a journalist for Zaman magazine from 1979 to 1986. In 1986 Danarto married Siti Zainab Luxfiati, and today he lives in Jakarta and continues to write and paint.²

1. Wikipedia ↩

2. Lontar Foundation ↩