The history of art in Indonesia mirrors the cultural history of the nation. After the introduction of oil painting in the colonial period, Indonesian painters created their own styles, techniques and themes. They documented the struggle for the independence from the Dutch, stimulated by the first president of Indonesian Republic, Soekarno. During the fifties, the artistic debate focused on the search for a specific Indonesian identity in modern art. Today, half a century later, this search has resulted in a wide variety of techniques and concepts. The economic boom under President Soeharto's leadership in the 1980s and 1990s has led to many changes in the art world. Collectors and galleries have greatly encouraged the production of modern art, establishing a lively art market.
least known art scenes today because its diversity and outstretched
territory make it difficult to access, analyse and assess.
Five years of travel, research and interviews have enabled the author
to give an extensive overview of the cutting-edge art practices in the
region, including painting, sculpture, installation, video, photography
and performance. An in-depth essay covers the situation of the art
scenes in the six selected countries and situates Southeast Asian
Contemporary Art in a global context.
Faithful to his signature method, the author has interviewed around
200 artists to come up with a final selection of 23. These artists have
been selected on the perceived quality of content and emotion that are
combined with the appropriate raw materials and the latest technology
in their artworks. It has been an explicit objective to cover most of the
media used by the artists from the region.
Vivid discussions with artists, art critics, gallery owners and leading
collectors have allowed the author to share and fine-tune his opinions.
Final artworks have been selected in collaboration with the artists, and
the interaction with them has enabled the author to unlock some of
the clues that allow the reader to better understand the content.
Outstanding digital technology applied to top-class high resolution
images has produced a unique presentation of an anthology of 91
artworks from private collections all over the world.
Unlike most old and modern masters, Made Wianta does not create drawings as a preparation for full-fledged paintings. His work on paper stands on its own and constantly stimulates his intellect and creative powers. Made Wianta's early drawings are technically very elaborate and draw on centuries-old Balinese beliefs and imagery. In the early seventies, Wianta freed himself from this overwhelming local influence and gave free rein to his imagination, which has been constantly fed by his own personal experiences and by more universal preoccupations.
Besides his drawings, Wianta has produced an extensive body of work consisting of paintings and installations. Surprisingly, in recent years his calligraphic paintings have been thoroughly influenced by his drawing practices, which makes Wild Dogs in Bali all the more fascinating.
