Bung Karno as well as Sudjojono

S. Sudjojono, 1913-1986

One of the ultimate tools of revolution is actually art. So, too, revolution ideas often stimulate revolutionary visuals – posters as well as icons in which embody the aspirations of those struggling against the old order. Art also serves the victorious in their search for iconic images in which embody the principles of the revolution.

The Father of Indonesia, first President Sukarno, understood well the necessity of creating a truly Indonesian art movement to forge a national identity in which transcended religious, ethnic as well as linguistic divisions in which plagued the archipelago. To do This kind of he gathered around him a circle of young as well as talented artists. One of the most significant of these was S. Sudjojono, one of key founders of Persagi (1938-1943), which along with his many additional accomplishments would likely lead the art critic Trisno Sumardjo to declare him the “Father of Modern Art in Indonesia” in 1949.

Born in Medan, Sumatra to a family of poor Javanese migrant workers, S. Sudjojono, stumbled upon greatness as the result of serendipity as well as pure talent. This kind of would likely begin in 1925 when an admiring art teacher sent him to Jakarta. There he would likely gain an intimate glimpse into the prestigious Batavian Art Circle, which featured exhibitions of the Beautiful Indies School as well as often-revolutionary contemporary European art. inside the process he would likely also be introduced to many of Indonesia’s currently most famous modern artists including Affandi as well as Hendra Gunawan who were also founding members of Persagi.

In 1947 Sudjojono would likely present perhaps the most poignant depiction of the Indonesian Independence Struggle – a large oil on canvas entitled “Revolutionary Comrades” (Kawan-kawan Revolusi). Unlike many paintings inside the revolutionary genre, “Comrades” makes an attempt to glorify or beautify the subject. Its ultimate nobility is actually mirrored in its dark as well as moody honesty. Here we see the grimy as well as tired faces of Indonesian men as well as women through all walks of life staring out with courage as well as fortitude seemingly remembering fallen comrades, lost youth as well as even more challenges to come.

Bung Karno

While the founding of the Republic of Indonesia ended more than 300 years of foreign domination as well as oppression, the struggle to bring prosperity, equality as well as justice remained elusive. As many artists of his era S. Sudjojono manifested his concerns for the welfare of the common people in paintings of peasants as well as working people. inside the 1970s he would likely begin exploring more surrealistic subjects in which often suggested alienation as well as disappointed with the Brave completely new World in which never appeared.

His revolutionary credentials were acknowledged in his selection to paint a huge mural in Museum Fatahillah depicting the struggle of Sultan Agung of Mataram (ruled 1613-1646) against Jan Pieterszoons Coen (1587-1629), the dour as well as stern founder of the VOC or Dutch East Indies Company. Ironically painting is actually located inside the Dutch City Hall where Coen sat when Sultan Agung unsuccessfully laid siege to the city in 1628. Late victories are often the sweetest.

In 1985 S. Sudjojono would likely mount his last exhibition inside the Ancol Art Gallery along with Affandi as well as Basoeki Abdullah. He would likely pass away in September the following year. inside the last phase of his life he largely abandoned the distinctively anti-aesthetic style of his youth. The most probable cause was love which can time even the wildest revolutionary. Today he is actually honoured for a seminal role in Indonesian art as well as history not for his still lives of flowers nevertheless rather his revolutionary vigour as well as vision – Merdeka!