Christie's puts Indonesian art on the block

Christie's puts Indonesian art on the block

JAKARTA (JP): Those who believe that fine art is not a just
luxury but a necessity can always turn in their hour of need to
Christie's, the world's oldest firm of fine art auctioneers,
which offers scores of paintings by Indonesian artists.

Interest in collecting works of Indonesian masters seems to be
growing among connoisseurs. This is reflected in two forthcoming
Christie's auctions, in Amsterdam yesterday and in Singapore on
May 18.

Among the works being offered by Christie's Amsterdam are
items by renowned painters like Raden Saleh (1807-1880), Basoeki
Abdullah (1915-1993), Affandi (1907-1990), the Belgian-born Le
Mayeur (1880-1958), Walter Spies (1895-1942) and Rudolf Bonnet
(1895-1978).

Traditional Balinese paintings by Ida Bagus Nyoman Rai (born
1915) and Ida Bagus Kompiang Siring (1923-1986) were also
included in the Amsterdam auction, which was preceded by a four-
day viewing period.

The paintings -- varying from realistic expressionism to
modern styles and comprising landscapes, still lifes, and
portraits -- are offered at prices ranging from US$1,500 to
$200,000.

These prices are, however, lower than those being asked for
the Singapore auction next month.

In addition to Indonesian art, this sale also includes works
by painters from other Southeast Asian countries, such as
expressionist Le Pho of Vietnam, realist Fernando Cueto Amorsolo
of the Philippines and modernist Yusof Ghani of Malaysia. (ego)