Lot 013
ERICA HESTU WAHYUNI
b. Indonesia, 1971
CHINESE NEW YEAR, 2013
Signed and dated 'Erica 2013' (lower right)
Acrylic on canvas
80cm x 110cm
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Indonesia.
Accompanied with certificate from artist.
ESTIMATE RM 5,000 - 7,000
PRICE REALISED RM 8,960 |
Illustrated here is the merriment of a Chinese New Year celebration by the imaginative painter of vibrant colours and artful naïve figures, Erica Hestu Wahyuni. The main characters in this epic fairytale in the land of Erica are the two dancing lions - elaborately dressed in elephant-designed embroidery and jester shoes with ang pao packets in their mouths - positioned in the centre. Blossoming mandarin orange trees decorated with more red packets is a recurring motif in this jubilant piece. Happy children dressed in traditional Chinese costumes are seen waving red packets with illustration of birds, a dog with its tongue sticking out and a smiling cat hovering at the lower part of the canvas. The upper part of the canvas sees eight flying horses above a dragon dance performed by six children also dressed in traditional Chinese costumes. A row of houses is seen in the background and a signature pagoda is present on the top right hand corner of the canvas. Below it is a mandarin orange tree and a couple of children are seen playfully climbing it.
Erica Hestu Wahyuni’s naïve and playful renditions have ascertained her reputation as one of the most sought-after contemporary artists in Southeast Asia. Her distinctive depiction of child-like fantasy in bold and vivid colours lures one into the magical imagination of her mind’s eye. Her theme is inspired by “situations, phenomenons, dreams and also everyday imaginations”.
Erica’s first exhibition of sketches was held at Taman Budaya (Cultural Park), Yogyakarta in 1990. She has then participated in a number of group shows including 32nd year of the Sanggar Bambu at Widya Manggala, Yogyakarta (1991), Women Imaging Women at the Cultural Centre in the Philippines (1999) and To Russia with Art at Yayasan Seni Rupa Indonesia in Moscow, Russia (2000). Her most recent solo exhibition was held at Mondecor Museum and Art Gallery, Jakarta in conjunction with Chap Goh Meh festival in 2013.
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