Kusuma Affandi Indonesia, 1970-1990

Affandi (1907–1990) was one of the most influential figures in the history of Indonesian modern art. Born in Cirebon, he was a self-taught painter best known for his expressive style and distinctive technique of squeezing paint directly from the tube onto the canvas. His works often depicted everyday people, animals, the sun, and self-portraits, with a strong emphasis on emotion and social realities.

In the 1930s, Affandi joined the Lima Bandung group alongside Hendra Gunawan, Barli, Sudarso, and Wahdi. Following Indonesia’s independence, he became involved in creating revolutionary posters and helped establish several artists’ organizations that contributed to the development of Indonesian modern art. His international career expanded after he received the opportunity to work in India and later participated in exhibitions and biennales across Europe, São Paulo, and Venice.

 

Affandi also taught at the Indonesian Academy of Fine Arts in Yogyakarta and received numerous international honors throughout his career. Despite his growing recognition, he remained known for his simple way of life and his belief that art should be experienced through the eyes and the heart, rather than through intellect alone. By the time of his death, he was estimated to have created more than 2,000 oil paintings, as well as sculptures. His distinctive home in Yogyakarta, featuring a banana-leaf-inspired roof, is now the Affandi Museum, where hundreds of his works are preserved and exhibited.