c-print on dibond
30 x 25 cm
This mysterious work carries profound political and historical significance within the field of Indonesian art. It appropriates a well-known photograph of Indonesian maestro Hendra Gunawan standing before his painting Penarik Gerobak (The Cart Puller). In the upper-left section, the artist inserts a visual element spelling the word “Lie”, alluding to a heated controversy that erupted in 2012 within the discourse of Indonesian art history.
Originally, the photograph of Hendra Gunawan in front of Penarik Gerobak served as evidence to authenticate the painting. The work, owned by a prominent Indonesian collector, was exhibited in a major Jakarta art show. However, a subsequent investigative report by the media revealed that the image was likely an alteration derived from an original photograph belonging to Hendra Gunawan’s family. Allegedly in the authentic family photograph, the artist is seated before Pandawa Dadu, not Penarik Gerobak.
By recontextualizing this image, the artist engages with questions of authenticity, authorship, and market legitimacy; issues that remain urgent within Indonesia’s art landscape. In light of discussions such as those in Jejak Lukisan Palsu Indonesia (Traces of Fake Paintings in Indonesia), this work functions as a critical site of reflection on the intertwined dynamics of art, truth, and institutional validation.
Lot location
Singapore
