Klowor Waldiyono, Untitled (Brown Creatures), 2000
Oil on canvas
140 x 110 cm (visible), 144 x 114 x 8.5 cm (framed)
Condition: Very good
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Klowor Waldiyono (Indonesian, b. 1968) is a contemporary painter known for his bold, colourful, and expressive works that often explore themes of nature, social issues, and cultural narratives. Born in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Klowor completed his formal art education at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI), graduating in 1995. Active in the Indonesian art scene since 1989, he has participated in over 100 group and solo exhibitions across Indonesian and abroad, receiving multiple awards for his creative achievements. His notable works, such as Cactus Garden (2018), Celengan (2019), and Harvest Season (2019), often depict a vivid interplay between human figures, animals, and plants, reflecting his deep concern for the balance of nature.
Klowor’s style of painting fuses traditional Indonesian visual elements with contemporary painting techniques, creating compositions filled with symbolic meaning. His solo exhibitions, including Hitam - Putih (1995), Siklus dan Sirkus Klowor (2011), and Colour(s) of Klowor (2013), have established him as a respected figure in Indonesia’s modern art landscape. His works are included in private and institutional collections both locally and internationally.
I bought this painting from a neighbour who was relocating to another country. It’s a charming work, and I’ve always had a soft spot for Indonesian artists, their boldness is often balanced by a sort of soulfulness that really draws you in. This piece, which I’ve personally titled “Couples,” portrays two people and other little human-animals. To me, it suggests a connection not just between people, but also animals, and even the tiniest presences in the scene. There’s a sense of shared love and togetherness, all gathered around a building tucked somewhere within the painting. One figure, a curious creature with eight legs, stands out to me. It appears to gaze in wonder, almost as if it’s alone yet completely absorbed in the moment. It is part of the painting’s unique charm.
(Photographed in April 2025)