Mochtar Apin, Rumput Liar & Padi Harapan, 1986

Acrylic on canvas
39 x 42.5 cm (visible), 59 x 63 x 3 cm (framed) (left)
39 x 41.5 cm (visible), 57.5 x 60 x 3.5 cm (framed) (right)
Condition: Very good

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Mochtar Apin (Indonesian, 1923–1994) was a painter, printmaker, illustrator, and educator who played a pivotal role in the development of modern Indonesian art. A founding member of the Gelanggang (Arena of Independent Artists) movement in 1946, he championed artistic freedom and a universal approach to culture. Educated at the Bandung Institute of Technology before further studies in the Netherlands, Paris, and Berlin, Apin developed a distinctive visual language shaped by European modernism while remaining deeply engaged with Indonesia's evolving artistic identity.

Associated with the Bandung School, Apin's practice evolved from figurative works to geometric abstraction, reflecting influences of Cubism, Constructivism, and artists such as Victor Vasarely. His paintings and prints are characterised by strong formal structure, rhythmic compositions, and a refined exploration of colour and space. Alongside his artistic practice, he taught at the Bandung Institute of Technology for many years, leaving a lasting impact on generations of Indonesian artists and securing his place as one of the country's leading modernists.

(Photographed in July 2026)

Acrylic on canvas
39 x 42.5 cm (visible), 59 x 63 x 3 cm (framed) (left)
39 x 41.5 cm (visible), 57.5 x 60 x 3.5 cm (framed) (right)
Condition: Very good

-

Mochtar Apin (Indonesian, 1923–1994) was a painter, printmaker, illustrator, and educator who played a pivotal role in the development of modern Indonesian art. A founding member of the Gelanggang (Arena of Independent Artists) movement in 1946, he championed artistic freedom and a universal approach to culture. Educated at the Bandung Institute of Technology before further studies in the Netherlands, Paris, and Berlin, Apin developed a distinctive visual language shaped by European modernism while remaining deeply engaged with Indonesia's evolving artistic identity.

Associated with the Bandung School, Apin's practice evolved from figurative works to geometric abstraction, reflecting influences of Cubism, Constructivism, and artists such as Victor Vasarely. His paintings and prints are characterised by strong formal structure, rhythmic compositions, and a refined exploration of colour and space. Alongside his artistic practice, he taught at the Bandung Institute of Technology for many years, leaving a lasting impact on generations of Indonesian artists and securing his place as one of the country's leading modernists.

(Photographed in July 2026)

Artwork located in: Singapore