Inspirational: The Vice President Visits the booth of Handicapped Painter, Agus Mertayasa

Denpasar-Bali, wapresri.go.id – Today Vice President KH Ma’ruf Amin visited the Small and Medium Industry Exhibition (IKM) entitled “Bali Rise” organized by the Regional National Crafts Council (Dekranasda) of Bali Province, at Taman Werdhi Budaya Art Center, Jl. Nusa Indah No. 1 Panjer, South Denpasar, Denpasar City, Bali Province, Tuesday (30/08/2022).

One of the various regional craft exhibitions that stood in this place grabbed the attention of the Vice President. It was the stand for the painting of a person with a disability named Agus Mertayasa.

When the Vice President visited his stand, Agus was still busy painting in a wheelchair, accompanied by his mother, Ni Made Rosanti.

“Since when did Agus start painting? Learned on your own or someone has taught you,” asked the Vice President.

Rosanti then told that Agus started to be serious about becoming a painter in 2014, although actually since childhood Agus had learned to paint by self-taught by relying on his imagination skills.

“In the past, Agus had studied until junior high school but then decided to study at home and paint,” he said.

Then, the Vice President asked what Agus’ favorite painting was. Rosanti also replied that Agus liked to paint Balinese gods the most.

“There are also paintings of nature and fighting cocks,” he added.

Furthermore, Rosanti expressed her gratitude in particular to Mrs. Wury Ma’ruf Amin as the General Chair of the National Crafts Council who helped promote Agus’ products even abroad.

“Agus is very proud and happy because he has been introduced to you, Sir and Madam, and all people in the community and even abroad. Some of his paintings even had been sold well (overseas),” she said.

Not only that, through Rosanti, Agus also expressed his gratitude to the wife of the National Police Chief for finding him a mentor to enrich the nuances of his painting.

“He was also assisted by the Madam of National Police Chief back then, looking for a teacher to add Balinese ornaments,” he explained.

Seeing Agus’ works, the Vice President also praised Agus as a smart and talented young man.

“I hope you will be more successful,” hoped the Vice President.

He was the inspirational I Gede Agus Mertayasa, a 24-year-old young man from Banjar Bernasi, Buduk Village, Badung. He might not be able to walk and run like his friends, and neither could his mouth speak like other young men. However, despite his limitations, Agus was still able to create brilliant work through his beautiful paintings. (DMA/LHS-BPMI Setwapres)