“Packaging Locality, Initiating Identity” is a mission held firmly by Joko Mursito, winner of the 2019 Alumni Awards for the Cultural Preservation category. In order to preserve culture, Joko Mursito, with his dedication, effort and hard work, continuously creates ideas and works so that in the future Indonesian children and grandchildren will be proud and aware of their true identity through culture. Joko Mursito is one of the outstanding alumni of Universitas Gadjah Mada and an alumnus of the UGM Graduate School, majoring in Cultural Studies and Media graduates in 2008. Joko Mursito is known for being diligent in preserving art and culture, especially Javanese culture. He is the founder and leader of the Singlon Cultural Studio. Singlon Cultural Studio was formed in 2008 and was born as an art medium equipped with facilities and teaching staff. Art is taught openly to the public and free to anyone who is interested in learning art, both children and adults. In this studio, art lovers are not only encouraged to love the nation’s culture, but are also honed by their abilities and talents in becoming artists. Students of Singlon Cultural Studio will be taught dancing, singing (folk songs), playing traditional musical instruments (karawitan), playing roles (drama / ballet), and other artistic activities. For the sake of meeting operational costs in running the studio, Joko Mursito racked his brain by making art products namely batik. He named the batik production with “Batik Thibthing”. This batik is somewhat unique and has high artistic value with thick and colorful cultural elements. Batik production by Joko Mursito has motifs such as temple reliefs, Javanese script, traditional musical instruments, etc. Joko continues to innovate and be creative in producing his batik works, such as adding the “geblek renteng” motif inspired by one of Kulon Progo’s special foods, “geblek”, which is a snack made from cassava flour.
The art background that Joko Mursito has been honed since studying in the Department of Performing Arts at one of the art campuses in Yogyakarta. Joko has made many achievements in the arts both at the regional and national levels. Together with Singlon Cultural Studio, Joko Mursito won 2nd place at the national level Traditional Sports Festival in 2014, 1st place at TAFISA World Games “Nglarak Blarak”, 1st place at 2018 “Obah Owah” Traditional Sports, and other awards. Joko Mursito also won many awards individually, including 1st place in the Pioneer of Youth in the field of Culture and Arts at the Kulon Progo Regency and the Cultural Award winner from the Kulon Progo Regent as a “Cultural Activist” in 2018.
Not only active as an activist of arts and culture, the man who was born in Wonogiri, July 4, 1972, is also happy to be involved in several organizations. Joko Mursito is the Chairperson of Jemparingan Mataram Daily Board Langen Progo (2017-present), Secretary General of Central Nusantara Jemparingan, Secretary of the Kulon Progo Regency Cultural Council (2010-2016), Karangon Progo Regency Youth Organization Manager, Head of Widya Budaya Bakti Pramuka – Kwarcab Kulon Progo, Chairperson of the Batik Association of Kulon Progo, and Chair of the FOPU Kulon Progo.
Not affiliated with art, Joko Mursito was noted as having served as the Head of the Education Section at the Kulon Progo Education Office (2007-2011). During his five-year term of service, he also served as Head of Culture at the Culture, Tourism, Youth and Sports Office of Kulon Progo (2011-2016). At present, Joko Mursito is given responsibility as the Office Secretary at the Kulon Progo Culture Office (2016 – present).