Kampong of Art Nitiprayan

Photo by Dokumentasi Kenduri Seni Desa 2004

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A. Overview

Kampong of Art Nitiprayan exists amidst Yogyakarta strong tradition of art. People call it the kampong of artists. There is even an anecdote saying that one is not yet an artist until he/she lives in Kampong Nitiprayan.

According to Javanese culture observer Raden Pangeran Adipati (RPA) Suryanto Sastroatmojo, Nitiprayan was named after Ngabehi Nitipraya, a royal servant and a commander of a royal little troop who was later given an area to rule which is now Nitiprayan. This took place during the tenure of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana VII circa 1877 – 1921.

In the beginning, Nitiprayan was just another kampong in Bantul. Later on, there is one thing that differs this kampong, the fact that there are many artists living there. It started when visual artist Ong Hari Wahyu, who had been living there since 1979, came up with an idea to make Nitiprayan an “art stage”. The Art Institute of Indonesia graduate who is usually called Ong tried to create something new by setting up a kampong with a strong atmosphere of art, either in the people, environment, or daily activities.

Ong thought that Nitiprayan would fit his idea of “art stage” for since a long time before the kampong had been known as the residence of artists in Yogyakarta, who came to the kampong seeking for boarding room or house. Among the artists who stay or once stayed there are ketoprak artists Karto Togen, Ngadimin Hadi Prabowo a.k.a. Darso, Atmo Sanyoto or better known as Atmo Sipun, and Pak Bendhot of the Srimulat Group; visual artists Dadang Christanto, Entang Wiharso, Made Sukadana, Faisal, Budi Ubrux, Djoko Pekik, Kuss Indarto, Putu Sutawijaya, Ong Hari Wahyu, Hedi Hariyanto, Teguh Wiyatno, Gusti Ngurah Udiantara, and Yogie Setyawan; multimedia practitioner Bambang J.P.; actors Heru Kesawamurti and Whani Darmawan; choreographer Lies Apriani; Rumah Panggung art community; social activist Toto Rahardjo; and many others.

This artistic atmosphere, which had long been clinging to Nitiprayan, became the basis for Ong et al. in setting up the “art stage”. The first step they took was encouraging both the natives and latecomers to create some groups of art activities such as terbangklung (terbang and angklung) and karawitan musical groups.

At last, Ong’s idea came true. The formerly usual kampong has become an art museum. Borrowing art curator and social-culture observer Kuss Indarto’s words, Ong and friends has made Nitiprayan “a stage, gallery, and creative laboratory at the same time.”

It took a solid teamwork among the village elements to realize the dream. Supporting elements such as facilities and infrastructures, the village people, and activities were all instrumental along the way. Over the time, which was by no means short, the hard work bore fruits with the establishment of various art galleries, neatly arranged and continual art agenda, Sanggar Anak Alam (SALAM) workshop, and so on.

What is obvious in Nitiprayan is the spirit of being independent. The artists always teach the people to use materials from their surrounding to be their art medium, including leaves and wreckages. There we can find drums made of wrecked cans or buckets. Stages for art performances are also set modestly in the yard, passage, or even in the farm. This aims at building the spirit of independence in art as well as eradicating consumerism.

It is through this independency this kampong is building its own character. There is an interesting story when they held Bamboo Art event in early 2000s which was attended by Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X and the Canada Ambassador. These highly-respected guests were not welcomed with red carpet, carved seats, or bottle water. The people greeted them in casual dresses and served kampong food like cassava and peanuts for them. The guests were also given water in plastic bags for drink. The Canadian Ambassador admitted that he was surprised yet happy. Later on the occasion, he took off his shirts to wear only T-shirts and stepped into the farms with the people.

B. Features

Despite lying not far from the center of Yogyakarta (only 3 km away to southwest from the Royal Palace) and thus being stuck between modernism and urban life, Nitiprayan manages to preserve traditional values. There are Javanese traditional houses, especially modest limasan houses. The people practice gotong royong (mutual assistance) and unggah-ungguh or tepo seliro (good manners and the custom of respecting each other), and social ethics among neighbors. These customs, slowly but surely, could not help itself but wearing off. It is really fortunate that we can still find them in Nitiprayan.

Although there are indeed latecomers in the village, the native values and customs are well kept and even able to influence or get along well with the new culture. It seems that multiculturalism can flourish well in the art kampong.

Kampong of Art Nitiprayan does not only nurture professional artists, but also those who do not even know the beans about art. They are taught and guided by the artists to become parts of an art society. So, common people also take part in the village’s art activities, even though they are not really artists. The result? We have an honest expression of art by the people, by making use what they have and can take from their surroundings and with their modest yet interesting artistic sense.

C. Location

Kampong of Art Nitiprayan is situated in Ngestiharjo Village, Kasihan District, Bantul Regency, about 3 km southwestwards from Yogyakarta Royal Palace.

D. Access

You can take motorcycle or car to get to the village. If taking a bus, you should take a route-9 or route-11 bus from Giwangan Bus Station, Yogyakarta then get off in front of SMKI Yogyakarta. The Kampong of Art Nitiprayan lies in the west of SMKI Yogyakarta.

E. Ticket

There is no charge for entering Kampong of Art Nitiprayan.

F. Accommodations and Other Facilities

In the kampong there are many galleries of many artists. There are also some public spaces for artistic activities, such as Jogja Art Relief and Sangkring Art Space.

Moreover, Nitiprayan also has Sanggar Anak Alam (SALAM) workshop, which aims at encouraging people’s learning spirit from anywhere and any age with an open interaction system, prioritizing locality and environment friendliness. The workshop is expected to be part of the agent of change to bring Indonesia into a better life.

Text: Tunggul Tauladan
Photo(s): Collection of Jogjatrip.com
Translation: Reza Daffi
(Primary data and various sources)

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If you are from outside Yogyakarta and want to visit this place by travel agency services,
please contact:

Maharatu Tour and Travel

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Telp. +62 274 8373005. Fax. +62 274 379250
Email : maharatu@maharatu.com -maharatu257@yahoo.com
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