The property of a prominent gentleman

By Amir Sidharta

JAKARTA (JP): The coming auction by Larasati will feature a special collection from the property of a prominent Indonesian gentleman.

His superb collection is a legacy that reflects over 40 years of collecting. At his young age, the gentleman went to Europe to study design. Therefore, visiting exhibitions and museums was a routine activity as well as his favorite past time.

Upon his return to Indonesia in l958, this gentleman encountered an Indonesia in deep political turmoil. The PRRI- Permesta insurrection broke out, but was contained. The Constitutional Assembly of the Parliament faced a deadlock over the philosophical grounds of a formation of a new Indonesian constitution. At the end of the year, President Sukarno publicly introduced his concepts of "Guided Democracy." Previously, in l957, Dutch citizens still residing in the country were forced to return to their home country and Indonesia started its move to reclaim Irian.

The situation in Indonesia was certainly a huge contrast to the pleasant experience he had while he was studying in Europe and therefore he never expected to be able to enjoy the same kind of experience as he had in Europe. However, to his surprise, when he visited an exhibition of art at the Hotel Des Indes (now Duta Merlin complex), he found that Indonesian artists were compatible to their European counterparts.

He though that this was a peculiar phenomenon, since at that time the flow of information into Indonesia was still very limited. There were very few magazines that made their way into the country and only a small number of local publications existed.

In the exhibition, he encountered the art works of Srihadi Soedarsono, But Mochtar, and Mochtar Apin, and even met the artists. Yet, it was Gregorious Sidharta's painting of a Crucifix that really struck the young man. He fell in love with the magnificent piece. However, at that time, he did not yet have sufficient funds to purchase the piece.

The next year, he met the artist again. "if you are still interested in the piece, you are welcome to purchase it," the artist said. This was the first artwork he purchased and it certainly marked the start of his legacy of collecting.

He met Affandi in l959, at an exhibition at the United States Information Service. At that time, he could only enjoy viewing the paintings, as he could not yet afford the Master's Works. However, in time, he accumulated enough money to purchase the artist's paintings. His very first Affandi Pasar di Bali (l964) appears in this auction.

Affandi also became a close friend. One day, he got a call from the great artist, "I made a painting especially for you. within three days, you have to come here and take a look. Otherwise, I will offer it to someone else," said Affandi.

The young collector was shocked. At that time, it was very difficult to make telephone calls. Therefore he knew there must have been a good reason for Affandi to have called him. Before the third day, he went to Bali and immediately went to visit the Master at his favorite lodgement behind the Bali Hotel. There right on top of the artist's bed, was the Nude (l965) that is being offered in this sale.

This gentleman collected with passion, getting to know all the artists who created the works he collected on a personal basis. He also knew Hendra Gunawan personally, although Di Mana Hari Esok, which appears in this sale, was purchased from the artist's son, while the artist himself was still imprisoned.

He believes that Suparto was a very good and talented artist, and supported the artist for some time by encouraging his friends to purchase the artist's works. Initially, it was not easy to promote the decorative artist, but one day, the wife of the Charges d'Affairs of the American embassy became enamored by the artist's works, and held a modest show exhibition, which helped bring Suparto to fame.

Every time he went to Yogyakarta, he would spend much time with Suhadi who he found a very simple and modest man. Popo Iskandar, Srihadi Soedarsono, Jeihan, Sunaryo and Umi Dachlan were, and still are, very good friends of his. Even Widayat, who ranks among the oldest and most senior artists in the country, remembers the gentleman as the very first collector of his paintings.

In collecting, the gentleman always made his decisions cautiously, carefully selecting the artwork of his choice. As a result, currently prevails his distinct collection of around two hundred paintings, including the Le Mayeur offered in this sale.

Entering his sixth Chinese astrological cycle, the gentleman, who has established himself as a prominent interior designer, continues to collect art, consistently searching young and new talents including works by Made Duatmika, Putu Sudiana, Made Hantaguna which are also featured in this sale.

The gentleman's collection is certainly a memorable representation of the history of Indonesian art.

Preview for the Auction organized jointly by Larasati and Glerum S.E.A. will be held on April 20 and 21 at Hyatt Aryaduta Hotel, while the auction will take place on April 22.