Fadjar Sidik developed his body of works Dinamika Keruangan (The Dynamic of Space) over four decades, which depicted simple compositions that evoke the vibrant pulse and movement of changing nature. Sidik’s painting The Dynamic of Space IX (1974) is an example of his distinctive style of abstract painting called Dinamika Keruangan. In this painting, Sidik arranged simple shapes with contrasting colours, giving a biomorphic impression, trying to negotiate the space on the canvas. During this period, Sidik entered a mature period as an abstract painter, which began in the 1960s. His experience living in Bali from 1957 to 1961 influenced how he approached abstract painting. Initially, he only felt like painting “industrial objects” and then felt the need to create other forms as pure expression. Accordingly, Sidik offered a new aesthetic proposition in the age of urbanisation and industrialisation. At this point, he began to develop his series of abstract paintings to include other imagery such as abstractions of animal and natural forms, as well as decorative compositions with contrasting and rhythmic colours recalling hand-drawn batik.
This is the first time the work of Fadjar Sidik is presented at Biennale Arte.
—Asep Topan
