Azmir Azhari Presenting Providentia Dei

Azmir submitted an application to the Kompas Gramedia company and got a reply four months later. Azmir has never met with Jakob Oetama in his life.

Kompas/TOTOK WIJAYANTO

Azmir Azhari

Azmir Azhari, a 68-year-old sculptor from Payakumbuh, West Sumatra, put the words providentia Dei on the left side of the bust of Jakob Oetama (1931-2020). Azmir wanted to present the figure of the founder of Kompas daily and, at the same time, give deep significance to what Jakob had often spoken of, providentia Dei or divine providence, the intervention of God.

“Finally, I have become aware of my life also as [relying on] providentia Dei. The prominence of every sculpture I make constitutes the intervention of Allah. If anything goes wrong, it certainly is my flaw,” said Azmir when visited in his lodging after finalizing the details of the bronze bust of Jakob Oetama he had cast in Yogyakarta on Saturday (18/9/2021).