The property of a prominent gentleman

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.