Sidharta Fine Art Auction November 17, 2019 | Message from Sidharta Auctioneer

Message from Sidharta Auctioneer 

After months of political tension, Indonesia finally witnesses the inauguration of the President’s second term in office. It opens a new chapter in the life of the Republic, and will hopefully bring stability that is much needed for development. 

We are blessed to be able to offer our second Fine Art auction for the year. While the artworks we offer come from various collections, a good number are from the property of a gentleman who spent many years collecting of works by artists who were quite popular at the time he was active, primarily around the 1990s. They include works by Abdul Aziz, Emilio Ambron, Anton Huang, Arifien ("Neif"), Mersad Berber, Antonio Blanco,  Francois Brochet, Renato Cristiano, Nyoman Gunarsa, Huang Fong, Kriyono, Lim Kwie Bing, Jason Monet, Popo Iskandar, Siauw Tik Kwie, and Han Snel. In addition to the groups of art works he collected there are also single pieces that very interesting pieces.  

Barli’s  Portrait of a Young Woman  (lot #372*) depicts the charm of a young woman using simple but bold lines. Zaini’s Tini (lot #374*) dating from 1949, done in watercolors, is a significant early portrait, showing the sitter’s strong character. It is also comparable with the artist’s other portraits from the same period. While there is a mystical nuance in Hendrik Paulides's Membatik (lot #421*), Mies Callenfels Carsten's A Pasar Scene (lot #332*) is painted in a modern style influenced by modern graphic design and advertising, making the painting look very modern and beyond it's time. The myopic painter Awiki paints what he is able to see through his thick glasses and then uses very thick oil paints to create his paintings. Interestingly, his painting Garden (lot #412*) turns out as an impressionistic painting that everyone can enjoy while appreciating the artist;s limited vision. 

The late gentleman, who collected the various artworks, appreciated the individual style of each artist. Especially Bagong Kussudiardjo’s expression of movement as can be seen in Balinese Dancer (lot #370*), Djirna’s simple forms in Three Women (lot #385*), Jeihan Sukmantoro’s passage into the soul of the figure he paints through the blackened eyes in  Nunik Bali  (lot #427*) or Sudarso’s interest in preserving tradition through paintings such as Seated Woman with Basket (lot #419*). 

There many works to choose from in this collection, but perhaps the most important paintings are Berber Mersad’s Four Figures (lot #394*), By the Patio (lot #401*) by Arifien (‘Neif’),  Antonio Blanco’s The Winning Cock (lot #405*), Popo Iskandar’s Cat  (lot #406*), and Abdul Aziz’s Surprised  (lot #423*). Lots from the property of a gentleman are scattered throughout the auction. An asterisk (*) following the lot number indicates that the lot is part of the property of a gentleman.

Although limited in number, this auction offers a good selection of contemporary art including works by Lucia Hartini, Pusaran (lot #359), Entang Wiharso's Wajah-wajah Pentas (lot #360), Oceu Apristawijaya’s Caring while Explore (lot #358), 

and Eddie Hara's Real Angel Does Not Fly (lot #361). 

  Of course, among the Indonesian modern art pieces, there is also Arie Smit's Passing The Temple (lot #413), which should not be missed. While there are many interesting lots to chose from in this auction, the most important lot is perhaps the Mahabrata painting (lot #435) by Anak Agung Gede Meregeg. This painting was acquired in the 1950s by a distinguished officer who later became the victim of the 1965 attempted Coup. Only recently has this painting been uncovered, after being kept for more than 50 years in storage. 

We hope that you will be able to view them in person starting Thursday 14 November 2019 at the Aria Ballroom of The Tribrata, Jl. Darmawangsa Raya, Jakarta.  Our auction will take place on Sunday, 17 November 2019, immediately after the auction of the second session of our Collectibles auction (only 30 lots) which will be starting at 1:30 pm. Enjoy the artworks and the auction!  

Amir Sidharta

Sidharta Fine Art Auction November 17, 2019 | Top Lots

Lot #361, Eddie Hara, Real Angel Does Not Fly

Lot #392, Pirous, Abdul Djalil, Citra Angkasa

Lot #394, Berber Mersad, Four Figures

Lot #405, Blanco, Antonio, The Winning Cock

Lot #406, Popo Iskandar, Cat

Lot #412, Awiki, Garden

Lot #413, Arie Smit, Passing The Temple

Lot #418, Arifien 'Neif, Rendez-vous

Lot #419, Sudarso, Seated Woman with Basket

Lot #423, Abdul Aziz, Surprised

Lot #435, Meregeg, Anak Agung Gede, Mahabrata

A Meregeg painting from the property of a distinguished officer

Along with his cousin Anak Agung Gde Sobrat, Anak Agung Gede Meregeg (Padang Tegal 1912 - 2000) Meregeg were the two defining artists of the Ubud style. Apparently, they were the first two artists in Padangtegal that Walter Spies met in Bali in the early 1930s and Spies’ influence can be seen in their early works prior to 1940’s. The two Balinese artists became members of the Pita Maha.

A village dancer, after the second world war Meregeg returned to Wayang painting. During this time, his wayang figures accurately followed the cannons of wayang traditions, but his background were seemed natural and realistic, showing Bonnet's influence. Later the his background so became even more reduced.

This painting was collected in the 1950s by a distinguished officer who later became the victim of the 1965 attempted Coup. Only recently has this painting been uncovered, after more than 50 years in storage

Sidharta Artfordable August 24, 2019 | Top Lots

 Sidharta Artfordable August 24, 2019 | Top Lots.

Lot#329 "Tari Legong"by Nyoman Gunarsa

Nyoman Gunarsa is a graduate of the Indonesian Academy of Fine Arts (ASRI) in Yogyakarta, where he was also a lecturer for many years. In 1970, he was one of the co-founders of Sanggar Dewata Indonesia. He has received multiple awards since the 1960s, including the Pratisara Affandi Adhi Karya from STSRI “ASRI” Yogyakarta; Best Painting Award at the Indonesian Painting Biennial in 1978 and 1980; Lempad Prize awarded by the Governor of Bali. Gunarsa has participated in dozens of exhibitions throughout Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, U.S.A, Germany, the Netherlands, France and Italy. He was one of the invited artists at the “Art of Bali” exhibitions at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1998. He established the Museum of Contemporary Indonesian Painting in Yogyakarta in 1989, and the Museum of Classical Balinese Painting in Klungkung in 1994. His expressionistic style feature offerings, dancers, and wayang (puppets)

Lot#351"Orchid in Bali"by Krijono
Krijono was born into a family interested and passionate about Art. His father was a collector of paintings and owned the Harris Art Gallery; his mother owned a Batik factory. In 1970, he studied at the Indonesian Fine Art Academy (Akademi Seni Rupa Indonesia/ASRI) Yogyakarta. His artworks are often brightly colored and express his own flamboyant personality.

Lot# 355 "Arjuna Wiwaha" by Tubuh I, Made
Aside from being a painter, Tubuh, I Made has been known as a dancer, gamelan player and art teacher in his community. Through his art lessons, he has several talented pupils including I Made Bukel and Dewa Putu Arsana. In the world of performing art, he once participated in Nyoman Kakul Sanggar Tari Bali's cultural delegation as one of the gambuh players performing the arts in Japan and Europe. Therefore the frequent objects of his paintings are the performing arts illustrating people dancing and playing the gamelan with additional touch of humours. He also painted mask as the objects of his paintings.  He has painted since elementary scholl. Later he had leraned painting for seven years from his uncles who happened to be the prominent painters I Made Djata and I Ketut Kenyod. Afterward he developed his own skill. His works have participated in numerous exhibitions in Bali. While in Jakarta, his works once was adisplayed in Bentaa Budaya Jakarta, Pasar Seni Ancol and Hotel Sari Pan Pacific. Several of his paintings once also exhibited in Netherlands organized by Rudolf Bonnet.

Lot#366 "Karena Kamu Punya Yang Manis"by Mulyana Silihtonggeng

He graduated from  Indonesian College of Fine Arts and Design, STISI, Bandung. Since 2002 he began actively in group exhibition. Selected in group exhibitions: 2004 Terminal Seni STISI1, STISI Bandung. 2005 Treading Object, Galeri STISI Bandung. 2015 Fifty finalis Ciputat Painting Festival (CPF), Galeri Rumah Puspo Ciputat, Tangerang. 2016 Seni Kasih Rupa Cinta, Intitute Fracais Indonesia, Jakarta, 'Eforless joy' ruang art space+comunal UI, Depok, Titik Perhatian, Balai Budaya, Jakarta. 2017 Jalinan Rona Pesona Estetika, Taman Budaya Yogyakarta, Neo destinArtion', Hotel Neo+, Legian-Kuta, Bali. Awards: 2015 Fifty Finalis Ciputat Painting Festival (CPF). 2015 Runner up  'Kotaku Sehat' environmental poster, 56th anniversary of Bintaro City, Tangerang

Lot#397 "Perahu Nelayan" by Popo Iskandar

Popo Iskandar began painting in 1944 as a poster painter for the information service in Indonesian Armed Forces. In 1958, he graduated from the Department of Art in Bandung Institute of Technology/ITB). He was a lecturer assistant  at ITB from 1957 to 1961, and additionally lectured in the Art Department of IKIP/Teacher's Training Institute, Bandung for many years. He held several solo exhibitions in Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Medan (Indonesia), the Hague and the Leiden (The Netherlands). He participated in numerous group exhibitions in Indonesia, China, UK, India, Japan, America, Netherlands and Brazil. Popo was also an art critic and essayist of art and literature. He was chosen as a lifetime member of the Jakarta Academy in 1970. He received the Anugerah Seni Art Award from the Indonesian Government in 1980.  

Lot#401 "Wajah" by Jeihan Sukmantoro
In 1953-55 Jeihan Sukmantara studied painting at HBS/Himpunan Budaya Surakarta under the guidance of Sumitro Hendronoto. From 1960-1966, he studied painting at ITB (Bandung Institute of Technology). He has had solo exhibitions in Jakarta, Bandung, Solo and Surabaya in Indonesia, Rome (Italy) and Paris (France). He has participated in numerous group exhibitions in Indonesia, United States of America, Algeria, the Netherlands and Switzerland. In 1978,  he established the Studio Seni Rupa Bandung (Bandung Fine Arts Studio) with Dr. Sudjoko.

Lot#430 "Brave Warrior (Red Bull)"by Wenas Heriyanto

Wenas was the youngest child of four. His passion for drawing on any media he found had shown since his early childhood. It was RAH AGUNG, a senior artist who had significantly contributed to what Wenas is now. Not only did he teach Wenas on technical skills, but he also encouraged Wenas with freedom in translating his idea and creativities onto canvas. Wenas is now known for his Decorative Expressionist style, reflected from his spontaneous form development as well as vigorous, wild and brave strokes. In 2006, Wenas is determined to make his observation of Animal Life in Ubud as his object of choice in his works. A year later, he produced his first series of paintings about animals.

                                           

   

Sidharta Fine Art Auction August 3, 2019 | Top Lots

Basoeki Abdullah's Potret Ibu Mayar Sari

Basoeki Abdullah was a painter who was particularly famous for his paintings of women. He was known for idealizing and beautifying the female figures he portrayed. 

The painter's reinterpretation of Sukarno's painting of Pantai Flores and his portrayal of Fatmawati, Sukarno's wife, are among the first artworks that Sukarno collected. Basoeki Abdullah's works appear prominently in the collection of President Sukarno, making it quite clear he was the President's most favorite artist.

Unlike most of the maestro's portraits of women, Potret Ibu Mayar Sari does not feature an idealized nor beautified female figure. The woman is not posed to accentuate her soft and/or elegant feminine qualities. 

While she is dressed in a traditional Indonesian kebaya top over a batik bottom, she is rendered sitting in a sturdy wooden chair. With one arm placed on an armrest, she faces the viewer at a slight angle. Although she is clearly the one and only subject of the painting, she makes herself clear that she refuses to become the object of the painting. Instead, she seems to be attentively viewing the painter and the viewers, claiming her position equal to them. 

Perhaps Potret Ibu Mayar Sari is idealized afterall. Having learnt from Sukarno's Sarinah, it is a portrait of Basoeki Abdullah's ideal Indonesian woman. Without having to dress in modern western attire, Ibu Mayar Sari is independent, confident, strong, and ready to take on the challenges she faces, particularly personal identity, interpersonal relationships, gender equality, and modernization.

Lot 077, Basoeki Abdullah, Potret ibu Mayar Sari

Lot 022, Togog, Ida Bagus Made, Life in Bali

Lot 029, Adolf, Gerard Pieter, Desa Vrouwen

Lot 048, Apin, Mochtar, Nude

Lot 062, Pirous, Abdul Djalil, Pendjaja (Vendor)

Lot 067, Adolf, Gerard Pieter, Padi Harvest

Lot 072, Arie Smit, Candi Bentar

Lot 093, Sudarso, Seated Woman

Lot 104, Sadali, Ahmad, Terompet Sunda

Lot 110, Handrio, Kegiatan di Pasar

Lot 118, Sutuwijaya, I Putu, Mau Lari Kemana???, 

Lot 124, Sutuwijaya, I Putu, Menggapai Harapan

Lot 132, Lee Man Fong, Goldfish,

Sidharta Fine Art Auction August 3, 2019 | Message from Sidharta Auctioneer

Fine Art Auction, Saturday, 3 August 2019

Message of Sidharta Auctioner

It has been 74 years since the Indonesian Independence was proclaimed by Sukarno and M. Hatta on the 17th of August, 1945. It has been quite a journey for our young republic, and now our nation plays an important role in global politics and economy. After a few months of intense politics, we finally proved once again that we are one of the largest democracies in the world. Now, we are ready to set art back on track! Our Fine Art auction returns this August, which is Independence month for Indonesia. 

Our Fine Art auctions are usually highlighted with art collections originating from certain estates. Although the artworks in our auction this time also originates from various collectors, we feature them in groupings based on artistic schools and developments or based on subject matter or themes. The various groupings tell the stories of Indonesian art history and show how artists approach the same subject matter from various different points of view.

There are many interesting works of Balinese art featured in our auction. Especially noteworthy is Ida Bagus Made Pugug’s Village Life in Bali (lot #015), which uses a distincts realist technique which is different from any other Balinese artist. While artists from the same region usually adopt a regional style, each artist develop their own personal character distinguishing them from others. Ida Bagus Made Togog’s way of using two dimensional imagery to create three dimensional spaces in Life in Bali (lot #022) sets himself apart from his fellow younger Batuan artists, Wayan Rajin and Made Tubuh. Nyoman Gunarsa broke away from the Kamasan tradition of his hometown to paint his energetic and dynamic Balinese dancers (lots #063, 094 & 123). 

The rich nature and culture of Bali has indeed inspired many artists coming from different origins and backgrounds. Take a close look at how Krijono, a Javanese artist of Arabic descent, so glamorously presents the Balinese (lots #037 & 064), how Kay It, a Balinese of Chinese ethnicity, expressively depicted a ceremony (lot #071), and how Dutch-born Arie Smit captured light and colors surrounding a temple (lot #072). 

Artists like Noor Ibrahim (lot #040), Barli Sasmitawinata (lot #042), Roland Strasser (lot #046), Soenarto Pr. (lot #047) and Mochtar Apin (lot #048) explore the female nude figure with the intention of comprehending the purest state of the human body. They portray the figure nude as not yet clothed, rather than as in the ultimate state of undress. The difference is only in viewpoint, but it is crucial to our understanding and appreciation the nude in fine art. 

Since the colonial times, the vast natural landscape of Indonesia has inspired artists such as Menno van Meeteren Brouwer (lot #069) and Gerard Adolfs (lots #029 & 067). Local artists including Sudjana Kerton (lot #049), Rusli (lot #051), Liem Tjoe Ing (lot #054), Popo Iskandar (lot #038 & 052) Roedyat (lot #053), and Zaini (lot #050), also proudly depicted their Tanah Air (“Land and Waters”). 

Painting the human figure has become the main forte of many Indonesian artists. Our cover piece, Potret Ibu Mayar Sari (lot #077), is one of the most interesting works by Basoeki Abdullah, because in this portrait he brings out the strong character of the woman he painted as a subject who seems to refuse becoming a mere object of the viewer. Those interested in Indonesian realism or figurative paintings should also view works by Abedi (lot #089), Sumardi (lot #032), and Sudarso (lot #031 & 093).

Abstraction in Indonesian art was propagated by Bandung artists. In two of Ahmad Sadali's works, we can see the progression from analytical abstraction in his Terompet Sunda (lot #104) to complete formalistic abstraction in Bongkah Emas dengan Garis Vertikal Merah (lot #060). Note also the works of A.D. Pirous (lots #061 & 062).

Some Yogya artists like Handrio (lots #055, 110 & 114) and Fadjar Sidik (lots #039) developed their own abstract styles. However, most artists from Yogya favored Decorativism, as can be seen in the works of Irsam (lots #023 & 025),  Sri Yunnah (lots #026 ), Abas Alibasjah (lots #043 & 100), and Bagong Kussudiardjo (lots #044 & 095).

Those in search of contemporary art should take a look at Wara Anindyah’s  Di Antara Wajah-wajah (lot #121), Ronald Manulang's Make Over Affandi (lot #085), Agus Suwage’s One Thousand Years - Yasser Arafat (lot #125) and Dede Eri Supria’s Marlboro Man (lot #126), among numerous other pieces. However, Putu Sutawijaya’s Mau Lari Kemana??? (lot #118) and Menggapai Harapan (lot #124) are certainly not to be missed. 

Of course there are many other wonderful works of art in our auction, not mentioned here, that night be of interest to you. Therefore, we hope that you will be able to view them in person starting Thursday 1 August 2019 at the Opus Ballroom of The Tribrata, Jl. Darmawangsa Raya, Jakarta.  Our auction will take place immediately after the viewing time on Saturday, 3 August 2019, starting at 3 pm. Enjoy the artworks and the auction!  

Amir Sidharta