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The art of revolutionary wars
Indonesia’s struggle for independence has inspired artists in many disciplines.
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"Markas Laskar Rakyat" by Sudjojono. (-/Agus Dermawan T.)
I
ndonesia’s struggle for independence has inspired artists in many disciplines. Starting over 200 years ago, the Indonesian people waged wars against Dutch colonialism sporadically and in different regions.
These conflicts include the Diponegoro War in Central Java (1825), the Buleleng War in Bali (1846 and 1848), the Cut Nyak Dien War in Aceh (1873), the November 10 War in Surabaya (1945) and the War on Military Aggression in Yogyakarta (1947 and 1948).
The events have inspired Indonesian artists to create works of art to memorialize and honor the heroic figures of the time.
Cinematic depictions of the colonial struggle include Pedjoeang (Fighters, Usmar Ismail, 1960), Tjoet Nya’ Dhien (Eros Djarot, 1988), animated film Battle of Surabaya – November 10th (Aryanto Yuniawan, 2015) and Perburuan (The Fugitive, Richard Oh, 2019).
In literature, the popular poem Aku (I) by Chairil Anwar stands as an icon of the colonial struggle, while in music, patriotic songs like Melati di Tapal Batas (Jasmines on the Border) and Halo-halo Bandung (Hello, Hello Bandung) by Ismail Marzuki and later Kebyar-kebyar (Shining by Gombloh) evoke the spirit of revolution.
Much of Indonesia’s visual art depicts historical subjects and themes.
The creation of such paintings began in 1947 when the Young Indonesian Artists (SIM) studio under S. Sudjojono invited its members to paint episodes of the Indonesian National Revolution.
