Siauw Tik Kwie, Still Life with Apples and Chrysanthemums, 1973
Oil on canvas
61.5 cm x 88 (visible), 72 x 99 x 4.5 cm (framed)
Condition: Very good, surface accretion
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Siauw Tik Kwie with one of his works
Photo courtesy of Kompas.id
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Siauw Tik Kwie (Indonesian, 1913–1988), also known as Otto Suastika, was a prominent Indonesian realist painter born in Surakarta (Solo), Central Java. Siauw's oeuvre encompasses landscapes, still lifes, figures, and genre scenes, often rendered in oil on canvas or board. His works are characterised by their meticulous detail and vibrant colour palette, capturing the essence of Indonesian life and scenery. Beyond painting, Siauw made significant contributions to Indonesian comics. He was the creator of the legendary comic strip Sie Djien Koei, which gained widespread popularity. His dual talents in fine art and illustration have left a lasting impact on Indonesia's cultural landscape.
Beyond his studio practice, Siauw played a crucial role as a teacher and mentor. He encouraged his students to observe and record the world around them, leading sketching trips through Jakarta’s urban landscapes and outskirts. His teaching philosophy emphasised sincerity and immediacy, to “draw what you truly see,” as recalled by his pupil Robby Lulianto. These excursions often became life lessons in humility, simplicity, and perseverance, mirroring Siauw’s own way of life.
(Photographed in April 2025)