Obituary: Famous batik artist Amri Yahya dies at 65
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.