When you think of "cubism" in the context of art, what comes to your mind? Do you picture a piece of art made up solely of cubist shapes? Well, the cubism style is more intriguing than that. Cubism, as an art movement that emerged at the start of the 20th century, is actually more intricate than just geometric cubist shapes in artworks. 

This movement, led by artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, focused on breaking down objects into basic geometric shapes, creating unique perspectives and prompting the viewer to perceive reality in a new way. Through cubism, artists aimed to represent objects from multiple viewpoints simultaneously, producing innovative artworks and offering an immersive visual experience for the viewer. The primary feature of Cubism is the representation of subjects using bold, geometric blocks separated by contrasting colors.

Cubism Painters of Indonesia

Indonesia also has several renowned artists who have created works of art in the cubism style. Global Auction is honored to showcase their pieces at our upcoming auction this January. These are the artists and their works in our special collections:

Mochtar Apin

Not just an ordinary painter, Mochtar Apin was an artist who played a crucial role in the advancement of modern art in Indonesia. He was highly esteemed throughout his life and served as a primary source of information for modern thought, which was often hard to understand. While he frequently discussed the development of modern art in Indonesia, Apin's explanations were often unclear about his art development, making it difficult to comprehend the evolution of his work. The journey of Apin's artistic evolution was constantly surprising and frequently sparked controversy. For instance, in the early 1990s, Apin transitioned from his abstract style, super-graphic sculptures, and geometric patterned paintings to nude paintings.

Roedyat Martadiredja

Roedyat Martadiredja, an artist born in Bandung, began painting in 1948 and pursued studies at the Bandung Institute of Technology. He held his solo exhibition in Jakarta in 1978 and was featured in the East-West Center’s Art of Bali exhibition in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1988. His art works are distinguished by their unique, rich, and colorful compositions that exude a strong sense of rhythm. They are held in private collections in Europe and the United States.

Handrio

Handrio is a renowned painter recognized for his expertise in cubism and color fields, often incorporating musical elements into his work. He began his painting career by studying with Basoeki Abdullah. Furthermore, during the Japanese period, he studied with Sudjojono and Agus Djaja at Keimin Bunka Shidoso and Poetera in Jakarta. At first, Handrio's paintings were in the style of realism and Surrealism.  

He shifted to a semi-abstract style in the 1950s, skillfully deconstructed shapes within geometric planes, a very different style from the prevailing Yogyakarta painters of the era. His journey continued into the late 1960s, when these forms transformed into dynamic, intricate geometric spaces. The 1980s marked the peak of Handrio's career, a period when he skillfully showcased colors and geometric fields in his artwork.

As a reputable art auction house, Global Auction is delighted to present a range of cubism paintings and other valuable painting styles in our art previews and auctions. You are welcome to attend the offline auction preview. Save the date for January 27th, 2024 at 4:00 PM (JKT) and participate in our online live auction. Feel free to click here for further information and check out our social media for the latest updates!

Source:

Subroto, L.H., & Ningsih, W.L. (2022, March 04). Aliran Seni Kubisme: Sejarah, Tokoh, Ciri-ciri, dan Jenis. Retrieved from https://www.kompas.com/stori/read/2022/03/24/170000579/aliran-seni-kubisme-sejarah-tokoh-ciri-ciri-dan-jenis 

Thabroni, G. (2019, August 31). Kubisme - Pengertian, Ciri, Tokoh, Contoh Karya & Analisis. Retrieved from https://serupa.id/kubisme-pengertian-ciri-tokoh-contoh-karya-analisis/