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Lot Essay
Widely regarded as one of Indonesia's most iconoclastic modern painter, Rusli's works have been described as being semi-abstract, neo-impressionist or even expressionistic. However, what all his paintings ultimately have in common is the evidence of an extended period of contemplation before their creation. Rusli's unique ability to capture the quintessence of each and every subject of his works affirms his dedication to meaning in simplicity, and this season Christie's is proud to present four of his most representative works - Odalan (Lot 346), Landscape - Ciloto II (Lot 347), Boats (Lot 348) and Pelabuhan (Lot 349).
Born in 1932 in Medan, Rusli attended the famed Santiniketan University in India for six years between 1932 and 1938, where he studied the art of painting, architecture as well as eastern art philosophy. Affandi and Xu Beihong also passed through the school, considered one of the most formative institution of Asian modernism in the 20th century. Greatly influenced by the teachings of Rabindranath Tagore, a famed Indian philosopher, he returned to Indonesia with a greater understanding of his artistic style and vision, and a renewed love for simplicity and the elegance of subtlety, which he captures through his deft but eloquent strokes.
Odalan (Lot 346) depicts a temple festival in Bali, painted plein-air during Rusli's stay in Bali when he was much influenced by his environs, painting the most essential character of Balinese life, including its many iconic temples and festivals. A rigorous painter who sought consistency in his output, the present lot measuring 100 x 130 cm is the largest canvas format he has produced works on, and particular to his Balinese period.
Otherwise, Rusli was a prolific watercolour painter who preferred to paint in small paper and canvas formats. He preferred watercolour over oil or acrylic, seeing that the fluidity of watercolour provided the painter a greater challenge than the viscosity of oil or acrylic. Though comprising of abbreviated seemingly effortless and unmediated brushstrokes, some of his most lyrical works are works like Landscape - Ciloto II (Lot 347) where mountains, clouds and nature in general is expressively reduced to a few brushstrokes.
Boats (Lot 348) and Pelabuhan (Lot 349) are two characteristic watercolour works of Rusli where perspectival depth is reduced to a flatness that is only achieved in the artist's works. A minimal palette is used, but used with absolute brevity to achieve the most direct expression of an object as it is possible in a painting.
Born in 1932 in Medan, Rusli attended the famed Santiniketan University in India for six years between 1932 and 1938, where he studied the art of painting, architecture as well as eastern art philosophy. Affandi and Xu Beihong also passed through the school, considered one of the most formative institution of Asian modernism in the 20th century. Greatly influenced by the teachings of Rabindranath Tagore, a famed Indian philosopher, he returned to Indonesia with a greater understanding of his artistic style and vision, and a renewed love for simplicity and the elegance of subtlety, which he captures through his deft but eloquent strokes.
Odalan (Lot 346) depicts a temple festival in Bali, painted plein-air during Rusli's stay in Bali when he was much influenced by his environs, painting the most essential character of Balinese life, including its many iconic temples and festivals. A rigorous painter who sought consistency in his output, the present lot measuring 100 x 130 cm is the largest canvas format he has produced works on, and particular to his Balinese period.
Otherwise, Rusli was a prolific watercolour painter who preferred to paint in small paper and canvas formats. He preferred watercolour over oil or acrylic, seeing that the fluidity of watercolour provided the painter a greater challenge than the viscosity of oil or acrylic. Though comprising of abbreviated seemingly effortless and unmediated brushstrokes, some of his most lyrical works are works like Landscape - Ciloto II (Lot 347) where mountains, clouds and nature in general is expressively reduced to a few brushstrokes.
Boats (Lot 348) and Pelabuhan (Lot 349) are two characteristic watercolour works of Rusli where perspectival depth is reduced to a flatness that is only achieved in the artist's works. A minimal palette is used, but used with absolute brevity to achieve the most direct expression of an object as it is possible in a painting.