Hendra Gunawan (Indonesian, 1918-1983) Street Scene

Hendra Gunawan (Indonesian, 1918-1983)
Street Scene
circa 1940s

signed Hendra (lower right)
oil on wood panel

48 x 60 cm (19 x 23 1/2 in)
Provenance
Offered in Sotheby's Singapore, 4 April 2004, lot 133
Borobudur Fine Art Auction, Singapore, 31 May 2009, lot 124
Acquired from the above by the present owner
Private collection, Europe

亨德拉· 古拿溫
街景
油彩 木板
約1940年代作

來源
送拍新加坡蘇富比, 2004年4月4日, 編號133
婆羅浮屠拍賣行, 新加坡, 2009年5月31日, 編號124
現藏家得自上述來源
歐洲私人收藏

Hendra Gunawan was an important Indonesian artist who blended Western painting techniques with traditional Indonesian aesthetics in order to depict the vibrant scenes of his homeland. Born in Bandung, Dutch East Indies, he was fascinated by the daily lives of Indonesians. With subjects ranging from fishermen, water buffalos, and guerilla fighters to abstract forms and nude women, his expressive works vividly capture the vibrant colours and lush wildlife of the region in a style that is reminiscent of German Expressionism.

Hendra's works are closely intertwined with the historical and cultural contexts in which they were created. As an activist and a nationalist himself, Hendra was an active participant in the political developments of his time. During the Indonesian National Revolution (1945-1949), he fought as a guerilla fighter against the Dutch Empire, and his political activism later led to thirteen years of incarceration. It is thus no wonder that Hendra imbued his art with social and political significance, using it to not only express the love he had for his country, but also showcase the difficulties experienced by the people - including poverty, oppression, and violence. Hendra's paintings thus reflect a pivotal moment in Indonesia's evolving post-independence identity.

In this early-period painting titled Street Scene, the artist depicts a vibrant street in a rural or suburban area of Indonesia. The composition can be divided into two sections. In the foreground, a bustling crowd gathers in a picturesque marketplace or village setting. In the background, a blur of trees and the sky create depth, the darkness of the evening contrasting with the warm brightness of the street. The figures, distinguished from their surrounding by the vibrant colours of their clothes, are particularly captivating. Some crouching over filled pots, some strolling through the street, their exaggerated and sinuous limbs convey movement and energy. The painting's vibrant and, at times, discordant colours evoke an emotional and dramatic impact, whilst the use of bold and confident brushstrokes creates a sense of spontaneity and rhythm. Another interesting particularity is the artist's employment of the sgraffito technique to highlight certain elements such as the gnarled bark of the trees, the roofs, and the utility poles and wires — thus enhancing the sense of perspective and contributing to the painting's overall dynamism. Through its vivacity and harmony, Street Scene showcases Hendra's interest in the daily lives of local people, and is truly a celebration of the diversity and richness of Indonesia's culture.