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)