New auction house to deal in 'affordable art'

Carla Bianpoen, Contributor/Jakarta

On Dec. 3, another auction house plans to touch base in Jakarta.

Launched as Sidharta Auctioneer, its debut auction, however, will have a distinctly different face, with most of the works falling into the category of what could be described as "affordable art".

Names like Hendra Gunawan, Le Mayeur, Lee Man Fong -- usually staple items on the auction "menu" will be conspicuous by their absence.

"We are trying to present works for their intrinsic quality, not just the names," says Amir Sidharta, emphasizing that Sidharta Auctioneer is using its own premises at Dharmawangsa Square City Walk, a cost-saving feature that should allow him to be relaxed in relation to sales targets.

Amir Sidharta, one of the founders of Larasati, the first Indonesian auction house, reveals he has always tried to bring to the fore new or long-forgotten names. The first auction's main focus, Emiria Sunassa, certainly accentuates his intent.

Emiria Sunassa is considered a forerunner of Indonesian women artists, but, apart from some incidental references, has rarely been highlighted either in official art history or the usual art discourse.

Three paintings, Kebyar (1942), Balinese Man and Putri Menari (1957) by the artist, who was born in 1895, and are being offered in this auction attest to her dynamic, artistic talent. An active member of Persagi (the Association of Indonesian Painters), she showed a skill that was not inferior to that of her male peers, although she was an autodidact.

In fact, she had her first solo exhibition in 1943 after receiving the prestigious Saiko Sjikikan Award for her paintings Pasar and Angklung in 1942. Both Sudjojono, considered the father of Indonesian modern art, and Kusnadi, curator, have expressed appreciation for her art.

Unusually for a woman of that time, she traveled extensively, putting on canvas various scenes from around the archipelago. Typical of her fickle nature, she disappeared in the early 1960s leaving everyone wondered what might have happened to her.

Aside from Emiria Sunassa, the auction will also distinguish itself from others by having more works by women artists.

Another distinct feature is the inclusion of a dozen sculptures including works by the renowned Dolorosa Sinaga, Gregorius Sidharta, and Nyoman Nuarta, as well as emerging artists Ade Artie Tjakra and Win Dwi Laksono.

While the majority of the sculptures are limited-edition bronze cast pieces, a couple of pieces by younger artists like Noor Ibrahim and Redi Rahardian consist of bronze plate, and a work by Made Wiantawork is in acrylic and clay on gold zinc.

A wide variety of works by the young and upcoming among the more established painters, mostly Indonesian, reinforces the impression that Sidharta Auctioneer is trying to present an alternative to the usual auction houses.

The collection includes the well-known, like Abdul Azis, Dede Eri Supria and Nashar, as well as painters relatively new to auctions, like Ida Hajar, Agapetus Agus Kristianda, Melodia and others.

This does not mean there are no works by masters like Affandi, Arie Smit or Basoeki Abdullah; they are all there, too.

For admirers of Basoeki Abdullah, once president Soekarno's presidential painter, and court painter of the Kingdom of Thailand, an undated depiction of a Bugis girl will be a surprise.

For fans of Arie Smit, a living legend (born in 1916) who lives and still paints in Bali, works from some decades ago may be a special attraction, as are Affandi's depictions of masked figures and sunflowers.

According to Amir Sidharta, who is also engaged in art criticism and curating as well as book-writing and printing, in the future Sidharta Auctioneer will put on special auctions featuring "affordable" and contemporary art, modern design, ceramics, books and prints.

Sidharta Auctioneer's first auction has 184 lots and will be held at Dharmawangsa Square The City Walk, Jl. Dharmawangsa VI & IX, South Jakarta. Previews are from Nov. 30 through Dec. 2.

Auction to be held on Dec. 3rd, 2005, starting at 2 pm. For catalog and inquiries e-mail info@sidharta-auctioneer.com or call 9277 2042.