Untitled (Potrait of Tatang Ganar) — 1978
Hendra Gunawan
Artwork Details
37 x 27 cm
Oil Painting on canvas
Exhibited
N/A
Acquisition
Acquired in 2026
Description
This rare portrait by Hendra Gunawan captures his close friend and fellow maestro, Tatang Ganar. Painted in 1976 during their shared jail room at Kebon Waru prison.
While the bars in the background hint at their confinement, the vibrant colors and bold, expressive strokes reveal a spirit that remained free. It is a masterpiece of Indonesian history, documenting the unbreakable bond between two of the nation's most important artistic voices.
Artwork location
South Tangerang
Status
In the collection
About the artist
Hendra Gunawan
Short Bio
Hendra Gunawan (1918–1983) was a towering figure in Indonesian modern art, celebrated for his vibrant, expressive style and his deep commitment to the "common people." A revolutionary fighter turned artist, he was imprisoned for thirteen years at Kebon Waru (1967–1978) due to his political affiliations.
Despite the harsh conditions of his incarceration, he continued to paint with a defiant, brilliant palette, creating works—often marked with the initials "K.W."—that transformed Indonesian life and his own struggles into poetic, sinuous masterpieces of resilience.