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Lot Essay
A self-taught painter who at one time painted alongside Indonesian maestro, S. Sudjojono, Soedibio is best known for his intricate and almost decorative style of art particularly his large body of paintings of figures from wayang, traditional shadow puppetry.
In Dewi Sri (Lot 3487), Soedibio portrays an epic figure from revered Javanese mythology, Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice and fertility. She is also often associated with Hindu goddess Lakshmi as both are attributed to the creation of life and wealth. Wayang figures clearly inspire Soedibio in Dewi Sri, as seen by the colours and the details of her accoutrements, and the vivid embellishment surrounding her. The background voices out the simple agrarian life of the Indonesians who are blessed with natural abundance and lush land. In the foreground, Dewi Sri, gracefully poised, floats on the majestic cloud as she watches and rules over her people and land. The artist's admiration towards Dewi Sri's figure can be seen from the curvaceous strokes outlining her body, accentuating her sensuality, and reminding the viewers of her role as goddess of fertility. Soedibio conveyed his respectful admiration towards Dewi Sri through his selection of colours, well blended brush strokes, and great details.
As an avant-garde artist, it is clearly shown that Cubism and Fauvism influenced Soedibio in Feelings (Lot 3488) in terms of representation and colours. Soedibio's cubism captures the pattern of highly stylised and deconstructed figure pattern found on the costume fabric of the wayang kulit (shadow puppet). Although Western Cubism seemingly perpetuates through Feelings, viewers can detect an eastern influence through the swirls in the midst of the rigid geometric technique; rendering the composition highly unique and distinctive. Soedibio's joviality is also presented through the dominance of primary colours, which allures the viewers, inviting them to live in a world of exuberance and happiness. As a final visual tactic, the mysterious gaze from three eyes instantly captures the viewer, as if hypnotizing them more deeply within the entire experience.
In Dewi Sri (Lot 3487), Soedibio portrays an epic figure from revered Javanese mythology, Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice and fertility. She is also often associated with Hindu goddess Lakshmi as both are attributed to the creation of life and wealth. Wayang figures clearly inspire Soedibio in Dewi Sri, as seen by the colours and the details of her accoutrements, and the vivid embellishment surrounding her. The background voices out the simple agrarian life of the Indonesians who are blessed with natural abundance and lush land. In the foreground, Dewi Sri, gracefully poised, floats on the majestic cloud as she watches and rules over her people and land. The artist's admiration towards Dewi Sri's figure can be seen from the curvaceous strokes outlining her body, accentuating her sensuality, and reminding the viewers of her role as goddess of fertility. Soedibio conveyed his respectful admiration towards Dewi Sri through his selection of colours, well blended brush strokes, and great details.
As an avant-garde artist, it is clearly shown that Cubism and Fauvism influenced Soedibio in Feelings (Lot 3488) in terms of representation and colours. Soedibio's cubism captures the pattern of highly stylised and deconstructed figure pattern found on the costume fabric of the wayang kulit (shadow puppet). Although Western Cubism seemingly perpetuates through Feelings, viewers can detect an eastern influence through the swirls in the midst of the rigid geometric technique; rendering the composition highly unique and distinctive. Soedibio's joviality is also presented through the dominance of primary colours, which allures the viewers, inviting them to live in a world of exuberance and happiness. As a final visual tactic, the mysterious gaze from three eyes instantly captures the viewer, as if hypnotizing them more deeply within the entire experience.