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Lot Essay
Dated 1978, Kasih Sayang (Affection) was executed one year prior to Hendra Gunawan’s release from the political imprisonment in Kebon Waru, Bandung. The artist was caught up in the anti-communist purge and incarcerated for thirtheen years from 1965 as punishment for his involvement in the communist-sponsored Lembaga Kebudayaan Rakyat (LEKRA).
Regarded as an artist who was passionate to portray the livelihood of Indonesia through his paintings, Kasih Sayang (Affection) is rather an intimate outlook to Hendra Gunawan’s life. The intimacy of this painting is not only portrayed by its subject but also reflected through the tight composition of the painting. Kasih Sayang is an exquisite portrayal of Hendra Gunawan with his second wife, Nuraini, embracing in the setting of Kebon Waru prison compound. Passion and love of Hendra Gunawan and Nuraini had for each other manifested in the strong colour palette, juxtaposing the gloomy surrounding of the prison compound in the background. Their love for each other were powerful, regardless of the imperfect reality, with Gunawan living in prison.
In contrary to Gunawan’s earlier artistic approach, Kasih Sayang showcase the progression of Gunawan’s painterly skill to portray a more stylized human figures. Influenced by various waves of modernism as well as a deep understanding of Indonesian mythology and history, Hendra Gunawan figurative works produced after 1970 were inspired by the traditional approach of depicting human figure similarly to wayang – Gunawan would then portrayed his figures with curved lines which resulting in distortion of the physical proportion of human body, prominently in the construction of face and limbs that is evident in the present lot. Another distinguished traditional influence showcased in this painting is ngiseni, a technique to create pattern in batik-making. Hendra Gunawan tends to fill in empty space in his canvas with curvy pattern resembling batik pattern. Loose yet modest batik pattern not only adorning Nuraini’s kebaya that accentuates her curvaceous figure, but also can be found at the limbs of Hendra Gunawan with eclectic colours. With strong elements combined in this painting, Kasih Sayang is an honest expression of Hendra Gunawan’s life and passionate love to his wife.
Regarded as an artist who was passionate to portray the livelihood of Indonesia through his paintings, Kasih Sayang (Affection) is rather an intimate outlook to Hendra Gunawan’s life. The intimacy of this painting is not only portrayed by its subject but also reflected through the tight composition of the painting. Kasih Sayang is an exquisite portrayal of Hendra Gunawan with his second wife, Nuraini, embracing in the setting of Kebon Waru prison compound. Passion and love of Hendra Gunawan and Nuraini had for each other manifested in the strong colour palette, juxtaposing the gloomy surrounding of the prison compound in the background. Their love for each other were powerful, regardless of the imperfect reality, with Gunawan living in prison.
In contrary to Gunawan’s earlier artistic approach, Kasih Sayang showcase the progression of Gunawan’s painterly skill to portray a more stylized human figures. Influenced by various waves of modernism as well as a deep understanding of Indonesian mythology and history, Hendra Gunawan figurative works produced after 1970 were inspired by the traditional approach of depicting human figure similarly to wayang – Gunawan would then portrayed his figures with curved lines which resulting in distortion of the physical proportion of human body, prominently in the construction of face and limbs that is evident in the present lot. Another distinguished traditional influence showcased in this painting is ngiseni, a technique to create pattern in batik-making. Hendra Gunawan tends to fill in empty space in his canvas with curvy pattern resembling batik pattern. Loose yet modest batik pattern not only adorning Nuraini’s kebaya that accentuates her curvaceous figure, but also can be found at the limbs of Hendra Gunawan with eclectic colours. With strong elements combined in this painting, Kasih Sayang is an honest expression of Hendra Gunawan’s life and passionate love to his wife.