Art about Indonesia dominates regional auctions

Art about Indonesia dominates regional auctions

By Amir Sidharta

JAKARTA (JP): Although art auctions have been held in
Southeast Asia, only in 1996 did Indonesia feel their effect.

In February this year, Christie's held its first auction in
the country to dispose of the estate of Dutch-born banker Adrian
Noe. The following month, Indonesian collectors competed to buy a
magnificent Raden Saleh painting, which was sold by Christie's
for S$2.8 million.

In Amsterdam last April, Sotheby's and Christie's offered
paintings depicting Indonesia. The world's two largest auction
houses also opened representative offices here. In late June,
Dutch auctioneer Glerum opened in Singapore, offering Indonesia-
related paintings. In mid-August the Indonesian Fine Art
Foundation took in more than Rp 2 billion at their annual
auction, this time offering paintings from the collections of
prominent collectors.

The following month, the appearance of a Raden Saleh from the
National Museum collection in a Christie's catalog shocked the
nation. Sotheby's held its very first Southeast Asian painting
sale in Southeast Asia in early October, when it sold an awesome
Hendra Gunawan for S$200,000. The next day Christie's held its
second Singapore auction of the year. The stolen Raden Saleh and
a number of paintings were withdrawn.

In Amsterdam, in late October and early November, Glerum,
Christie's and Sotheby's held sales within a period of one week.
A fourth auctioneer, Bonham, entered the Southeast Asian market
in Singapore with its small offering of paintings of Indonesian
subjects by Singaporean painters.

It is likely that this auction house will increase its profile
in the region in years to come.

The Bimantara Foundation auctioned off 15 paintings, four of
which were of Indonesia, by Chinese master Wu Guanzhong in
November. In an hour, the paintings were all sold, fetching
US$2.23 million.

In Melbourne, Sotheby's and Christie's held sales which
included items of Indonesian subject matter first in August and
November.

Glerum held its second Singapore auction in December. A week
later in Jakarta, the Biennial Committee and the Jakarta Foundation
for the Arts held an auction of the works presented in Biennale
X.

The number of auction houses operating in Singapore increased
from one to four. Two opened representative offices in Jakarta
this year.

Even the closing of Biennale X was marked by an auction of
the artists' works, although it was not very successful. In the
past, some members of the Jakarta Council for the Arts have
considered it taboo to hold auctions within the art center's
premises. The organization of the auction indicates a change in
the way of thinking of the council and the biennial's committee.

The number of auctions is perceived by many as being
indicative of the increasing interest in and commercial value of
paintings. Another indication of the development of fine art in
the country can seen in the increasing number of quality art
exhibitions and art activities.