Sidharta Auctioneer - Fine Art Auction, Tugu Kunstkring Paleis, Jakarta, Sunday, 22 May 2016
Published at Apr 25th 2016 9:58pm
Entering the second decade of our existence, we present you with our first Fine Art auction this year, while two other equally Fine Art auctions is already "in the back burner", being prepared for sometime in the second half of the year.
We start our auction this time with three works of contemporary art. The first two lots are by artists from the Jendela group: Alfi's Provokator (1993) and Yunizar's Ruined Party (1998), while the third is Ay Tjoe Christine's lithograph dating from 1993.
Various other works of contemporary art are also offered, such as Rudi Mantofani's Tumpa Hawa 2002 (lot #127). Two works by Sri Astari, who is now the Indonesian Ambassador to Bulgaria, are also in this auction: Shame, Insecurity, Denial, Win or Lose, Fear, Addiction (lot #125) and Recovery Prayer Beads (lot #144).
It has become a tradition that our auction is highlighted with works of art with high historical value. Four artworks by Lee Man Fong (lots #102-104), date from as early as the 1940s, and attest to the artist's versatility in style and technique. Three drawings dated between 1979 and 1981 (lots #182-184, by S. Sudjojono, Indonesia's modern art pioneer, offer glimpses into the artist's life and thoughts. Two sketches dating from the 1940s, a divan, a typewriter and writing desk that belonged to the late Sudjana Kerton (lots #160-163), are material culture evidence of the artist's life.
A number of great works of Balinese Art are also featured in this auction. Sepasang Kekasih by Dewa Biang Raka (lot #077) was painted with the typical subdued aesthetic of the Pengosekan style, while the choice of subject matter/theme might reflect the artist's female gender and sensitivity. Two paintings of owls and ants by Dewa Putu Mokoh (lots #081 & 052) are telling of the artist's accentric personality and unique observations. Ketut Ginarsa's depiction of Dewi Saraswati (lot #087) clearly shows the artist's admiration of the goddess of knowledge, arts, learning and wisdom.
In this auction we also have a number of wonderful artworks by foreign artists who worked in Indonesia. In his Kebyar (1946) (lot #093), Auke Sonnega expressively depicts the energetic movements of a Balinese dancer. Theo Meier's portrayal of Kan Keo Expecting a Baby (lot #072) seems to have been painted with extra care and patience. Donald Friend's fantastic Sudden Storm (lot #081) really captures the mood and sensation that we experience when a monsoon thunderstorm suddenly hits the ground.
April 15th, 2016 would have been Arie Smit's 100th birthday. Unfortunately, he passed away suddenly on March 23rd, 2016. In memory of the Dutch born Indonesian artist, we present two paintings by him in our auction: At The Temple's Gate (1994) (lot #090) and Temple Late Afternoon (2004) (lot #185), which is our final/ closing lot of the auction.
Certainly many other beautiful, interesting and strong artworks by Hasan Djaafar, Wakidjan, Leo Eland, Jeihan Sukmantoro, Amrus Natalsya, Sapto Hoedoyo, Krijono, Erica Hestu Wahyuni, Syahrizal Koto and many other artists that are featured in our auction. We hope that among the pieces that we offer, there will be artworks that make meaningful connections with our clients, current and future. Please enjoy our preview exhibitions, and then participate in bidding for your favorite works at our auction on May 22th, 2016.