Institut Teknologi Bandung

This 1973 alumnus of Visual Art of ITB told about the making process of GWK in Ungasan, Jimbaran, Bali. It was full of struggle and challenges. The construction began in 1990 but momentarily stops in 1998 due to monetary crisis that hit Indonesia. The statue is finally completed and inaugurated by President Joko Widodo on 22 September 2018.

GWK stands 121 meter tall. Its colossal size causes the construction going under 754 modules. It was done to construct it faster. One module weigh around 2 tons. Those modules were carried from Bandung to Bali using 500 semi-trailer trucks. Statue’s skin is made of brass-coated copper to resist heat and wind. “We strengthen it with brass because copper easily moves above 60 degrees while brass melts above 1000 degrees,” he said.

According to him, GWK is an artwork that embodies national identity. With GWK, he wants to show that despite the limitation, we can create an internationally recognized artwork. The statue weighs around 3,000 tons. “The construction was not that easy. Challenges were faced, many criticize it, do not agree why we create a statue,” he said. In addition, there are natural challenges such as wind exposure, earthquake, and other natural conditions.

Nyoman Nuarta is well-recognized for his statues that emerge as local icons. Statue of Soekarno at Monument Proklamasi in Jakarta, Jalesveva Jayamahe Monument in Surabaya and many other statues. He is noted as the pioneer of new art movement in 1976 that promotes freedom of expression and shape of artworks.

“GWK is scientifically guaranteed because modern tourism is inseparable from insurance. Who create the structure? Does the company have ISO?” said Nuarta, who once received Ganesa Widya Jasa Utama award from ITB.

With GWK, Nuarta wants Indonesians to open their mind that art and culture will give massive impact to the economy of surrounding community. That’s the dream that encourages Nuarta to finish GWK. Lack of financial support was tackled by selling GWK’s assets to private, hoping the construction process to continue.

“It has been stated that our foreign-exchange reserves generated by tourism industry is 190 trillion this year. Where does our tourism come from? At least 40% come from cultural tourism,” he said.

He advised students of ITB to take a lesson from the construction of the statue. Do not give up. Study diligently, because right now the facilities are adequate for learning activities. The public lecture opened with a remark by Vice Rector of General Administration, Alumni, and Communication, Dr. Miming Miharja ST. M.Sc., Eng. He said that GWK has not only physical appearance, but also deep philosophical meanings.