Oil on canvas

100 × 150 cm. 39 3/8 × 59 in.

Signed in English and dated on bottom left
PROVENANCE
Acquired directly by original collector from the artist
Private Collection, Asia

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by Affandi Museum, Yogyakarta

Ode of Man and Deity
Folk Mythology of Affandi

Affandi never received formal art training, his creative drive solely stemmed from his passion for art and diligence. Born in 1907 in West Java, Indonesia, he began self-studying art at the age of 27 and later became an artist. From 1952 to 1956, he consistently represented Indonesia in the Sao Paulo Art Biennial and the Venice Biennale. His works are now part of collections in institutions such as the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Singapore, and the Fukuoka Art Museum.

As a humanistic artist, Affandi firmly believed in the universality of human experiences. This commitment to portraying real-life set him apart from the prevalent romanticized depictions favoured by foreign art patrons in Indonesia. Instead, he employed expressive lines and exaggeration of form, vividly expressing the "Kampong Spirit" – a sense of authentic feelings drawn from everyday life. Featured in this auction is his 1977 artwork, Ikan Naga, where the dialogue between the fish and the dragon unfolds, symbolizing the interaction between humanity and the divine, weaving the sparks of life.

Fish Leap in the Wildest Ocean

Amidst bold strokes of blue, black, and red, the dragon submerges at the bottom, its eyes staring beyond the canvas, while a fish swims towards it on the right side of the painting, displaying no fear towards the colossal creature. Irregular black and white stripes in the background enhance the dynamic movement of the fish and dragon. Just like the phrase "Fish leaping through the dragon gate", which signifies a beautiful vision in Bahasa Indonesia, subtly conveying the artist's blessing.

Spontaneity: The Vitality of Painting

Spontaneity is Affandi's most prominent characteristic in his creations. He trusted his vision and intuition, persisting in capturing every moment of his body and emotions on canvas. To maintain the purity of spontaneous expression, he laid his canvas on the earth and painted with his bare hands. In Ikan Naga, he used his palms to spread paint on the canvas, covering larger areas with a deeper blue to symbolize the underwater habitat of the fish.

Being in the Moment, Capturing the Brilliant Instants

Affandi's works spiritually resonate with concrete artists like Kazuo Shiraga. Renowned American abstract expressionist artist Jackson Pollock also favoured expressing inner turbulence through spontaneous gestures. While Kazuo Shiraga and Pollock pursued pure abstraction, in Ikan Naga, Affandi opened a new dimension through brushstrokes and movements. Every line around the fish and dragon is gracefully stretched to its fullest, or tightly wound around the protagonists, showcasing Affandi's true mastery in capturing the atmosphere and immersive experience through brushstrokes.

Affandi himself was emotionally rich and distinct in personality. He dedicatedly completed his works without interruption, and the painting in front of him was his entire present. Ikan Naga exemplifies Affandi's devotion to creativity and self, connecting the beauty of the unknown from mythology with the inherent "Kampong Spirit" of the Indonesian people.

Price estimate:
HKD: 400,000 – 600,000
USD: 51,100 - 76,600

Auction Result:
HKD: 420,000