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!
