“I Left My Heart in Aotearoa” – A Painting Exhibition by the Ambassador of Indonesia H.E. Tantowi Yahya & Mrs. Eka Deviana Putri
13th August 2021
From left to right: Ambassador of Indonesia (HE Tantowi Yahya) & Spouse (Mrs Dewi Yahya) and Samoa High Commissioner and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps (HE Leasi Papali'i Scanlan).
Photo provided by the Embassy of Indonesia, New Zealand.
Photo provided by the Embassy of Indonesia, New Zealand.
On Thursday 12 August, the Samoa High Commissioner & Dean of the Diplomatic Corps (HE Leasi Papali’i Scanlan) was invited to open the Exhibition of Paintings by the Indonesian Ambassador HE Tantowi Yahya and a staff member of the Indonesian Embassy Mrs Eka Deviana Putri. Before introducing the Dean, the spouse of the Ambassador (Mrs Dewi Yahya) spoke of her husband’s many talents and passions, one of which is Painting. Although he has been doing some painting since their arrival in New Zealand in 2017, it was during the COVID-19 lockdown that allowed the opportunity for the Ambassador to focus more time on his Painting passion.
In his opening address, the Dean acknowledged the many talents that his friend, Ambassador Tantowi Yahya, has. Not only is the Ambassador a world-renowned singer and entertainer, a celebrated TV personality, an eminent politician, a distinguished diplomat, an eloquent speaker and a fantastic cook but he is also now an accomplished painter! The Ambassador’s ability to capture in detail the different beautiful New Zealand landscapes and sceneries on canvas is a very rare gift for any individual, let alone an ambassador. On behalf of the Diplomatic Corps Family, High Commissioner Leasi congratulated the Ambassador on his exquisite paintings and wished him well in pursuing his artistic passion in the period ahead. The High Commissioner also congratulated Mrs Eka Deviana Putri on her artistic talent, through the beautiful portraits that she has painted of a number of prominent people in New Zealand.
According to Ambassador Yahya, the “I Left My Heart in Aotearoa painting exhibition is a humble token of appreciation and gratefulness for the opportunity to experience life in Aotearoa. The exhibition encapsulates the world-renowned beauty of New Zealand, its charming little city, and the manifestation of harmonies between Indonesia and the Pacific as well as inspirational and influential figures that I can proudly call friends in the country that I’ve called home for the last 5 years.” The ‘I Left My Heart In Aotearoa’ exhibition is displayed in the Te Auaha Gallery in Wellington from 12 to 14 August.
In his opening address, the Dean acknowledged the many talents that his friend, Ambassador Tantowi Yahya, has. Not only is the Ambassador a world-renowned singer and entertainer, a celebrated TV personality, an eminent politician, a distinguished diplomat, an eloquent speaker and a fantastic cook but he is also now an accomplished painter! The Ambassador’s ability to capture in detail the different beautiful New Zealand landscapes and sceneries on canvas is a very rare gift for any individual, let alone an ambassador. On behalf of the Diplomatic Corps Family, High Commissioner Leasi congratulated the Ambassador on his exquisite paintings and wished him well in pursuing his artistic passion in the period ahead. The High Commissioner also congratulated Mrs Eka Deviana Putri on her artistic talent, through the beautiful portraits that she has painted of a number of prominent people in New Zealand.
According to Ambassador Yahya, the “I Left My Heart in Aotearoa painting exhibition is a humble token of appreciation and gratefulness for the opportunity to experience life in Aotearoa. The exhibition encapsulates the world-renowned beauty of New Zealand, its charming little city, and the manifestation of harmonies between Indonesia and the Pacific as well as inspirational and influential figures that I can proudly call friends in the country that I’ve called home for the last 5 years.” The ‘I Left My Heart In Aotearoa’ exhibition is displayed in the Te Auaha Gallery in Wellington from 12 to 14 August.