Plered a Small village in West Java

Innovations for Industry "Gerabah"
by Mukhamad Kurniawan executive summary by Darmansjah godjali

Was frustrated and "disappeared" because of his work was traced mass, Suratani (52) back to my hometown. Together with other crafters in Plered, Purwakarta Regency, West Java, he worked back and give color to the pottery industry who have lived for generations.

Gait Suratani quite phenomenal in 1985. His work was suddenly famous after winning a design competition and crafts at the regional and national levels. Shades of copper and form a considered unusual when it became his work force.

Suratani works were included in several exhibitions held by government or private. Within days, the buyers arrive, including buyers from overseas. They hunt for collectible ceramic Suratani or sold again.

Late in 1985, Suratani his work for the first time exporting to Singapore. Slowly but surely, grow their business. Two years later, thousands of products Suratani shipped to Malaysia, New Zealand, Japan, Britain and the United States.

According to the Head of R & D Ceramics Purwakarta Regency Ahmad Nizar, export Suratani work became a milestone for the industry folk who nearly a century. Because, since pioneered Dasjan, Sarkum, Wasja, and Suhara 1904, there has been no work of artisans Plered penetrate overseas markets.

The high demand for another mode of Suratani encourage artisans to produce tiles with similar pattern. Mimicking the unit was expanded by hundreds of businesses with thousands of workers in Plered.

Initially, the copper patterned ceramic production was profitable on a mass scale. Suratani, who actually bothered with the plagiarism of his work, was able to make peace with the situation. However, slowly tergerogoti market because of product quality that is not maintained. Buyer blurred. Antarperajin price wars and other forms of unhealthy competition ensued.

"Vases are sold overseas sale for Rp 125,000 Rp 50,000 artisans here. At first glance similar products, but the quality of raw materials and finishing far different. Many buyers do not know that and they were deceived, "said Suratani.

The peak reduction in exports occurred in 1994. Business Suratani and some losers crafters. Annoyed with the situation, Suratani chose to leave home and work outside the region. Had pioneered the business of making ceramics in Palembang, Lampung, and a number of cities / counties, he finally returned to Plered 2008.

Pump yourself

Parents Suratani, Samani (late)-Ratmi, moved to Purwakarta Suratani age when teenagers. Economic limitations forced Suratani and several of his siblings out of school. After graduating from elementary school in Palembang in 1970, Suratani no longer attend school.

Aware of the limitations, the young Suratani determined to take advantage of opportunities to develop themselves. In 1979, a bid to follow education in the Ceramics Research Center (CPC)  without thinking. Together with seven other youths from Plered, Suratani CPC was educated in Bandung to 1982.

Felt the need to add experience, Suratani wandered to Jakarta and joined the artists at the Ancol Art Market. "I interact with artists painting, crafts, dance, and others. All give color to my work, "he said. In 1985, Suratani back to Plered in the hope of applying the knowledge and experience.

Suratani distinct touch of reality. His efforts are blackish sand urn for burning in the combustion process actually found copper complexion. Suratani judge's artistic style. Some of which he included in the race craft that was held the National Crafts Council  and central regions, as well as the World Crafts Council (World Craft Council) in 1985. In any event it works Suratani won the title.

He was never stingy to share knowledge and "prescription" of his work. Suratani share the tricks that other crafters to enjoy the benefits of a flood of requests.

However, it increasingly unhealthy competition and damage the ceramic market Plered membeludaknya as similar products with varying quality. After 1990, one at a business unit of losers. Suratani finally chose to go from its territory.

Bank design

In of travel, Suratani still work. He opened a similar business in the Gutters Fertile, Palembang, then in Natar, Lampung. The business of making pottery and decorative ceramics in the two regions continued to grow and feed dozens of artisans and their families.

After 14 years of wandering, Suratani back to Plered. The existence of industrial clusters and artisan cooperatives that guarantee respect for the work and control the marketing and business inter-unit competition motivated again. Ceramics Research Office Purwakarta helped "persuade" Suratani back to work.

Product distinctiveness Suratani be an element of product origin Plered , also distinguishes it from other pottery centers in Indonesia, such as Kasongan (Yogyakarta) and Lombok. The style of the art with a pure ceramic-making techniques characteristic of his work.

To protect copyright, Suratani proposed a design bank. The idea was in line with the cooperative program craftsmen and pottery industry clusters in Plered. Each craftsman has the right to record the ceramic design, style finishing, the following raw materials. Suratani itself has listed 12 works coded "SR" 1-12 in the bank's design.

Five works Suratani, namely SR 5-9, and a number of other works Plered crafters taking part in the export product exhibition in Jakarta, October 2010. Everything is in demand. Ceramics Research Office noted 24 countries interested in the work and some of which have been ordered, such as from Australia, the United States and Britain.