Widayat between Worlds: A Retrospective
Friday, 28 September 2007
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Widayat between Worlds: A Retrospective
13 September to 28 October 2007
SAM Galleries 1.1 – 1.4
Singapore Art Museum
Singapore

Widayat between Worlds: A Retrospective

An exhibition showcasing the modern Indonesian artist’s “magic decorative” work

Image

Three Faces
Acrylic on canvas
50 x 60 cm
1992
Museum H. Widayat Collection

Singapore Art Museum and Museum H. Widayat are pleased to present Widayat Between Worlds: A Retrospective. The exhibition, which features more than 70 paintings, sculptures, ceramics and found objects, show a broad representation artistic practice of the late artist, Haji Widayat (b. 1919-2002), one of the most influential Javanese painters in the 20th century. As a modern Indonesian artist, he is essential in the development of Indonesian art. The exhibition opening is officiated by Guest of Honour, His Excellency Mr. Wardana, Ambassador of Indonesia, on 12 September (Wednesday), 7pm, at the SAM Glass Hall.

From the world of fantasy to the realities of everyday life, the exhibition introduces the significant themes in Widayat’s oeuvre. The associations, multilayered meanings, mythically and historically evocative elements of Widayat’s landscapes and figurative works are representative of Java’s “traditional/decorative” art style. At the same time, Widayat’s work displays the imaginative influences of modern and contemporary Western artists and genres such as Henri Rousseau, Jean Dubuffet/Art Brut as well as Chicago Imagism. Widayat’s personal collection of tribal art, which will be on display in the exhibition, is also of interest as indicators of sources that have exerted influence on the content and decorative formal devices in his artworks.

Widayat’s experimentations with medium – aside from the predominant oil media he is known for – also include acrylic, watercolour ceramic, prints and sculpture making on found objects. His use of colour and movement are dominant aspects of his work and his abstract works in particular, illustrate his mastery of shape and composition while remaining child-like and naïve. The exhibition provides a direct glimpse into the late artist’s perspectives, ideas and guiding principles about his own life and practice, as well as his developments in formal idioms, and his influence on younger generations. At the same time, it also looks at the relationship between the late artist and his patrons, which include both public and private collections.

In conjunction with the exhibition, a catalogue will be published to include essays by scholars and collectors including Mr Sudarso S.P., Mr Agus Burhan and Dr Oei Hong Djien.

Edited by Eugene Tang. Image Courtesy of Museum H. Widayat Collection

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