Koskah, A Place For Acehnese Sketchers

Lovely Architecture Department Syiah Kuala University student demonstrates sketching in Banda Aceh.

"Drawing helps me stay in the present moment and in sketch i found the aesthetics of art " Luqyana Yusrizal said.

Koskah, A PlaFor Acehnese Sketchers

Luqyana is a member of sketch community, Koskah (Komunitas Sketsa Aceh) in Banda Aceh. Koskah is a community that was formed in 2010 as a forum for the sketches lovers. Initially, Koskah formed by a group of students of the Architecture Department  Syiah Kuala University by Amri Satria and Adia Mirza and the community named Komunitas Arsitektur (KSA).

Due to suggestions from lecturer and other shetcher from outside Architecture Department  Syiah Kuala University, the community name changed to Komunitas Sketsa Aceh (Koskah) in March, 2011.

According to Luqyana,  Koskah interested in getting together to go sketching, drawing or painting in and around Banda Aceh or Great Aceh. It just happen to like visiting parts of Banda Aceh or Great Besar and might like to do something artistic to capture the many aspects of our country.

Koskah focused on life sketch of urban or heritage directly on the spot. Koskah membership is not limited age, occupation, and educational background. Membership ranged from students, housewives, businessmen, to office workers.

It doesn't matter what level of experience you have, even if you've done anything artistic before. All skill levels are welcome to Koskah. It's not a class, and there is no formal tuition involved, just people who want to draw or paint at any level of experience. After all, the only way to get better is to practice and hopefully we can all learn from each other.

Amri Satria giving an advice to Koskah member.

"This community is a place for sketcher lovers in Banda Aceh and Great Aceh. I hope for every event that held by Koskah, there must be a new person coming. All different levels of artists are welcome and we just have a good time" said Amri, a spokesman and one of Koskah founder.

At least twice a month Koskah’s member, hunt together in a particular location whether it is the object of building, landscape and other objects.

The format of the meetups is usually to meet at different places in and around Banda Aceh or Great Aceh, which could be outdoors (if weather permitting) or indoors, wherever sketch whatever interests you for a couple of hours or so, re-group and go for some refreshments where possible. In Koskah sometime each member share their tips and learn in a casual environment that is friendly and non- judgmental!

At the regularly event, Amri and his friends always share about how to use of pencil and eraser, the courage to draw the line, shading techniques to values, perspective until the composition of the image.

Farhan, a boy wearing a blue jeans jacket.

Farhan, one of Koskah member said, “Each person has different ability in sketch. Sketch would be nice if it was drawn up to detail and i learn it in this forum”.

The group will be open to all members to suggest and organise meet-ups that interest them.

If you want to take a part od Koskah, you will need your own art supplies, any medium suitable to the location is fine, basically paper and something that will make a mark on it will do! All that is needed is a sketchbook, pencil or pen, hat, bottled water, and a desire to draw.

The community shared through social media makes members of the community continue to grow. After five years of existence, now in its Facebook page, Koskah noted there are more than 400 members spread across nine subdistrict in Banda Aceh and Great Aceh. You can connected to Koskah by instagram account @koskah_ .

So let's get together and meet some like- minded people, explore Aceh and do some sketching!

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