Ciputra Artpreneur
Ciputra Artpreneur, Jakarta
Hendra Gunawan painting "Panen Padi II" (Harvesting Rice II) by Ciputra ArtpreneurCiputra Artpreneur
Hendra was released from political prison in 1977. After leaving prison Hendra lived freely, having kept his chosen profession as a painter. His freedom was welcomed by artists and the public.
Hendra on His Solo Exhibition by Ciputra ArtpreneurCiputra Artpreneur
He was assisted even in his move to Bali. The general public and art lovers provided a place worthy of him as a great artist, who had served the nation and its people, prior to 1965.
Diponegoro Wounded at War (1982) by Hendra GunawanCiputra Artpreneur
This warmth was perceived by Hendra as the “true heart” of the Indonesian nation. As a result of this, in 1980 Hendra began to think of what he could give of value to the Indonesian people, through whatever means he was capable of.
He created huge paintings depicting Indonesia’s revolutionary history and local culture. He presented these paintings to a number of provinces in Indonesia. For Central Java, he painted Prince Diponegoro.
Diponegoro Wounded was one of the paintings to be presented. However, before he could finish painting this colossal painting, Hendra passed away.
So here it appears that the figure of Diponegoro who was fighting atop his horse, dressed in white pants and a blue shirt, was still in outline, still in the design phase.
Diponegoro’s face was also not yet delineated. The parts that had been completed were in fact figures of soldiers fighting in an intense battle.
copyright 2020 Ciputra Artpreneur
Texts taken from:
Painting description by Agus Dermawan T.
Prisoner of Hope: 100 Years Hendra Gunawan curated by Aminudin TH Siregar and Agus Dermawan T.
Photo credits: Ciputra Artpreneur documentation
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