Lot 54 | Auction XXXVI

 

 

LOT 54

HENDRA GUNAWAN

B. Indonesia, 1918 – 1983

Penjual Ikan (Fish Seller), 1975

Signed and dated “Hendra 75” on lower right
Artist, title and year inscribed on the verso

Watercolour, ink and pencil on paper

38 x 52.5 cm

Provenance Private Collection, Singapore

Hendra Gunawan was born in Bandung, West Java, in 1918. Gunawan was committed in his political views, and dedicated his life to the fight against poverty, injustice and colonialism. He was incarcerated in Kebon Waru for his involvement in the Institute of Popular Culture (Lekra), a cultural organisation affiliated with the now-defunct Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). Gunawan’s incarceration began in the 1960’s and he was not released until 1978. During this time, his artwork was rarely seen or written about. Many of Gunawan’s works have been lost, but museums and private collectors have located and catalogued over 120 of his paintings and sketches, along with eleven sculptures.