Srihadi Soedarsono

Srihadi Soedarsono (1931–2022, Solo, Indonesia, based in Bandung, Indonesia) was a celebrated painter whose work depicted the cultural traditions and meditative landscapes of his native Java. His paintings embody the Javanese concept of rasa—a spiritual orientation shaped by harmony, respect and integrity—through a skillful and intuitive use of colour, space and form. Srihadi is widely considered one of the important modern artists to have emerged from Southeast Asia.

Born into a family of batik makers, Javanese traditions formed the foundation of Srihadi’s upbringing and remained a central influence throughout his artistic career. His involvement in both resistance movements against the Dutch colony in the 1940s and postcolonial avant-garde groups in the 1950s shaped his evocative, abstract style—this contrasted the largely sociopolitical narratives defining the country’s post-independent art landscape at the time. Following his further studies in the United States, Srihadi found resonance with abstract expressionist and colour-field approaches, which he merged with his own cultural roots. His celebrated paintings of vast landscapes are vibrant, lyrical expressions that employ the horizon as a symbol of cosmic balance and connection. In paintings of Javanese and Balinese dancers, Srihadi’s gestural strokes convey a strong sense of movement, control and emotional intensity.

Srihadi obtained his BFA from the University of Indonesia Bandung in 1959 and his MFA from Ohio State University, Columbus in 1962. His work is held in numerous collections including the National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta; National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta; State Palace Collection, Jakarta; Museum MACAN, Jakarta; The United Nations, New York; Museum of Modern Art, Rio de Janeiro; Asia and Pacific Museum, Warsaw; Ohio State University, Columbus; Fordham University, New York; and Neka Museum, Bali.

Notable exhibitions include Man x Universe (2020), National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta; 70-Year Journey of Roso (2016), National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta; Visions and Enchantment (2000), Singapore Art Museum; Asian Modernism (1996), Metropolitan Museum of Manila; Asian Modernism (1996), National Gallery, Bangkok; and Contemporary Asian Art (1980), Fukuoka Art Museum. The artist has also participated in major international festivals including Biennale XI (1998), 11th Jakarta Biennale; APT1 (1993), 1st Asia Pacific Triennial, Brisbane; and 10th São Paulo Biennial (1969).

Srihadi had his residency at the STPI Workshop in 2004, resulting in the exhibition Tracing Horizons (2005).