Indonesian society was transformed during the revolution of 1945–49, with which it gained independence from the Dutch colonial empire. Artists were instrumental in realising a new national identity through both official paintings and street art; paintings, posters and pamphlets from those heady years are on display in this exhibition at the Rijksmuseum (11 February–5 June). Contemporary artist Timoteus Anggawan Kusno has been commissioned to create an artwork responding to objects from the Rijksmuseum’s collection. Find out more from the Rijksmuseum’s website.
Preview below | View Apollo’s Art Diary here
Kawan kawan revolusi (1947), Sudjojono. Collection of the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Indonesia.
Three young Indonesians in Yogyakarta, December 1947. Photo: Hugo Wilmar.
Indonesian freedom fighters (1946–47), Otto Djaya. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Sukarno declaring the independence of Indonesia on 17 August 1945, photographed by Frans Mendur.
Revolutionary poster (1945–49), Indonesia. Museum Bronbeek.