Obituary: Famous batik artist Amri Yahya dies at 65

Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

Famous batik artist and lecturer at the Yogyakarta Public University (UNY), Amri Yahya, passed away on Sunday.

Born on Sept. 29, 1939 in Palembang, he died at around 11 a.m. in Sardjito General Hospital in Yogyakarta, where he had been receiving treatment for more than one month for a heart condition and diabetes mellitus.

Amri's son-in-law Yan Rejeki said that Amri felt depressed after his showroom the "Amri Gallery" caught fire last September.

The fire destroyed all his art works, including his first painting, his collection of hundreds of textiles, books and awards that he had won.

"My father-in-law's gallery was his pride and joy. He was shocked when the fire destroyed it," Yan said.

According to him, Amri had suffered from diabetes mellitus since last year but his blood sugar level soared after the fire.

After escaping from the burning gallery, his left leg was grazed. However, the minor injury had serious repercussions as it would not heal.

Amri later sought treatment in Singapore, but his condition did not improve until he was brought home again for further treatment at Sardjito General Hospital.

He was admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit last Friday.

Although Amri was born in Palembang, he was widely known as a artist from Yogyakarta as he lived in the tourist city for more than 45 years.

Amri's career really took off when he was still studying at the Indonesian Art Academy (ASRI). He staged his first exhibition in 1957 and graduated two years later.

He pursued his studies at the State Teachers Training Institute (IKIP) in Yogyakarta in 1971, and one year later, opened Amri Gallery in Gampingan, Yogyakarta.

One of Amri's last works was the logo for this year's National Sports Week held in Palembang, South Sumatra.

He is survived by his wife Sud Dwi Suzamti and four children, Emi Palupi, Adwi Prasetya, Yunipan and Feico. Amri had four grandchildren.

He will be buried on Monday at around 11 a.m. at his family cemetery in Gampingan.