Hendra Gunawan - Family Portrait ( oil on canvas )
About the Artwork :
The painting was painted when Hendra Gunawan was released from prison and his family was there to welcome him back. The background shows alot of families and the foreground shows Hendra himself , his two sons , his wife ( wearing green ) and most left to the painting is Hendra's student. Whom he married as a second wife later on.
Background Info of Hendra Gunawan :
Indonesian. Parents divorced when young.
1st wife was a Sundanese woman.
In 1942 fighting broke out in Indonesia against the Dutch Colonial Government.
Upon Indonesia's victory, Gunawan began to paint patriotic posters. Fell into poverty during this time.
In 1945, started an artist community called Frontline Painters. Invited dropouts and unemployed youth who wished to be his students to come to the studio. Studio gained nationwide influence.
Began to gain an identity as a freedom fighter, being pro-communist. In 1965, the government went through a violent change of hands to a Pro-Western and anti-communist government that would last for 32 years. In 1965-1978, Gunawan was detained (put in prison) by the new government. He was imprisoned due to his political ties, and paintings of controversial subject matter (including those of prostitutes).
Throughout his life, his subject matter of his artworks have dealt with the working class, politics, and documentation of daily life.
1st wife was a Sundanese woman.
In 1942 fighting broke out in Indonesia against the Dutch Colonial Government.
Upon Indonesia's victory, Gunawan began to paint patriotic posters. Fell into poverty during this time.
In 1945, started an artist community called Frontline Painters. Invited dropouts and unemployed youth who wished to be his students to come to the studio. Studio gained nationwide influence.
Began to gain an identity as a freedom fighter, being pro-communist. In 1965, the government went through a violent change of hands to a Pro-Western and anti-communist government that would last for 32 years. In 1965-1978, Gunawan was detained (put in prison) by the new government. He was imprisoned due to his political ties, and paintings of controversial subject matter (including those of prostitutes).
Throughout his life, his subject matter of his artworks have dealt with the working class, politics, and documentation of daily life.
Description :
- The painting is dominated by five figures in the foreground.
- In the forground , there are two female figures and three male figures. They are in a pose for a family portrait .
- In the background , there are alot of human figures gathering there. They might also be families.
- The colours used are warm colours .
Analysis :
- The composition of the painting is painted where the two females are at the left and the three males at the right . Hendra Gunawan is in the center and is sitting on a chair . This might suggest that he garner respect from his family / he has most of the authority in his family.
- The background is characterized by alot of human figures. This might also suggest that there is a carnival or family festival going on.
- The foreground is dominated by the five figures.
- The artist draws a focus to himself by painting his own skin the most colourful with unnatural splashes of yellow, green and blue which portray the artistic, unique side of him, and make him stand out, among the rest of the family members.
Interpretation :
- The painting depicts a family portrait with the artist and his first wife wearing very detailed traditional Indonesian patterned Batik clothes .
- The subject matter is a reflection of a reunion / complete family .
- Unlike other family portraits , this painting , was painted while Hendra Gunawan was in prison.
- The artist seems to suggest that he wanted to have a reunion with his family.
Evaluation :
- In my opinion , this painting portrays a desire from the artist to reunite with his family / have a complete family .
- The choice of colours portrayed are colourful and artistic.
- The strength of the painting lies in the clothing his wife and him was wearing.
- It is a successful attempt because the portrait shows a complete family.
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