Hendra Gunawan: A Great Modern Indonesian Painter

Painter, poet, sculptor, guerrilla fighter, teacher: these are but a few of the many faces of Indonesian artist Hendra Gunawan (1918-83). Although he is now acclaimed as one of Indonesia's greatest painters, an aura of mystery still surrounds him. For many years Hendra ranked in the annals of national security as a traitor, his work was barely visible to public view, and very little was written about him. In this first detailed work on the life and times of Hendra Gunawan, and on the qualities that are the hallmarks of his art, we learn how one of the most talented and versatile artists among the first generation of modern painters in Indonesia developed the styles, the colours and the themes of his work. We also learn how he came to be imprisoned for much of his adult life, and how it is only recently that his work is fully appreciated for its celebration of the daily lives of ordinary men, women and children in Indonesia. Hendra believed that life existed because of the community, and a consistent theme running through his work is of people in contexts of work and play, in celebration, struggle and death. The story of this man who battled poverty, revolutionary war and imprisonment, and of his people who fought against colonial injustice, is enhanced by personal photographs and pencil sketches. Many of Gunawan's works have disappeared without trace and those that have survived are not readily accessible to the general public. It is fortunate that through the generosity of the Ir Ciputra Foundation and a number of museums and private collectors, a substantial body of Gunawan's work can be 'viewed' in this volume. The Catalogue of Paintings features 122 paintings and sketches from various stages of his life. A catalogue of eleven sculptures, based on Hendra's paintings, is also included.. Gunawan looked upon his paintings as his children and felt that everyone had the right to enjoy them. It is therefore fitting that this book should go some way towards making Hendra Gunawan and his paintings available to both Indonesians and to the wider world

Hardcover with dust jacket

Book condition: Fine. Internally very clean

Dust Jacket condition: Near Fine. Jacket has very light general wear plus minor age-toning to inside

Authors:  Agus Dermawan T, Astri Wright

Dimensions: 25 x 31 cm

Print length: 236 Pages

Language: English

Publication date: 2001

Publisher: Ir. Ciputra Foundation Jakarta, Archipelago Press

ISBN: ‎9814068225