Sugiyono

Sugiyono: Menanti, 2007, Acrylics on Canvas, ca. 100x150cm,
(Collection Thomas Hübner)
Sugiyono (b. 1976) is a painter from Yogyakarta, and like most Indonesian artists he graduated from the Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) in his hometown.

He participated regularly in exhibitions since 1992 and got already several prestigeous awards, and many of his works are in the hands of foreign collectors. I like his colourful surrealistic style for which this work is a good example.

Tatang Ganar and the Sanggar Pelukis Rakyat

Tatang Ganar, Untitled, 72x72 cm, Oil on Canvas, Collection Thomas Hübner


Tatang Ganar (1936-2004) was a painter from Bandung. He learned painting from Affandi, Sudarso, Hendra Gunawan and other great Indonesian painters who were like him members of the Sanggar Pelukis Rakyat (People's Painters Studio) in Yogyakarta, a group of artists that were associated with LEKRA (People's Culture Association). In many of his works - some were collected by Soekarno and Adam Malik - the life of the common people is reflected.

After Soeharto took power, many of the artists were imprisoned or even killed. Also Ganar had to spend years in prison, an experience that is the obvious inspiration for this painting. The man sitting in front of the huge keyhole sees only the boots of his guard...