Lot 70: S. SUDJOJONO (Indonesia 1914-1986)

Oom Endi dan Ria di Cipayung (Uncle Endi and Ria at Cipayung)
signed with initials, dated and inscribed "SS 101/Jak, 1975" (upper left); signed again and titled "S. Sudjojono Oom Endi dan Ria di Cipayung" (lower centre); inscribed "Gunung Salak/tinggi di belakang" (lower right)
oil on canvas
19 x 31 in. (48 x 78.5 cm.)

Cipayung is a village that is near to Puncak and it overlooks Mount Gede and Pangrango to the South and Mount Salak to the west. It is clearly indicated on the painting that Mount Salak is in the background (Gunung Salak tinggi di belakang).

The present lot is a whimsical work filled with characters and idiosyncrasies. The two persons in the foreground whom the artist has identified as Uncle Endi and Ria are the protagonists of the work that liven up the composition. Ria's sun dress allows the artist to display his knack for a fauvist palette, within the small confinement, Sudjojono created a mosaic of flat patches and staccato strokes of striking colours which are reminiscent of the dynamic works of Henri Matisse and Andre Dirain. Uncle Endi, on the other hand is in duller clothes that balance off those of Ria's. The artist has greater intention for him.

Adding on details like the hat, the camera and the casual pants, Uncle Endi comes alive with a distinctive character that suggests wit, adventure and a subtle display of humour. Facing one another, the 2 protagonists are in communication, Ria seems to be listening as she relaxes her arms behind her back while Uncle Endi relates an account. Or perhaps it is the other way round. The actual occurrence is not important. Sudjojono has not intended the work to be an objective documentation of that fine day in 1975 when clearly Uncle Endi and Ria have met in Cipayung where Mount Salak overlooks.

Instead, Sudjojono has wittingly re-composed a scene that captures a fleeting moment. Unlike the Impressionists who capture a fleeting moment of light and shade, as an Expressionist, Sudjojono revels in atmospheric creations. A sense of humour is suggested with no explicit display of any droll incidents; a sense of immediacy is suggested with the subtle display of bustling activity - such as the coming and going of crowds in the little house in the background, the squatting person on the right corner of the work and the passing cars on the road. Hence, the painting is deceptively simplistic in composition at the first glance. With closer examination, the work is filled with characters that are supremely unique, testifying to the staunch belief of the artist that profess to paint and only paint the real people and landscape of Indonesia.

Uncle Endi is a relation of Mrs. Rose Sudjojono who lived and passed away in Holland.