- Fine Arts
ITB,
Bandung (1951) - Fine Arts and Design,
Amsterdam, The Netherlands (1952) - École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts,
Paris (1957) - Deutsche Akademie der Kuenste,
Berlin,
Germany
Mochtar Apin (23 December 1923 – 1 January 1994) was an accomplished
Indonesian painter, illustrator, writer and tenured lecturer who taught fine arts at the
Bandung Institute of Technology, ITB.
He was co-founder of the Arena of Independent Artists movement (Gelanggang Seniman Muda ) in Jakarta in 1946, and a member of the
Bandung Institute of Technology. Alongside other painters, intellectuals and poets, he advocated a universalist ideal for culture, advocating the creation of art concerns that could communicate to people of all backgrounds.[1]
Life
In 1948, Apin enrolled at the Technical Faculty, Universitas Indonesia (renamed as Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) in 1959) where he became a student of
Ries Mulder, one of the founders of the school. In 1951 he visitied The Netherlands on a scholarship to study at the
Kunstnijverheidsschool Quellinus. Later in 1953 he enrolled at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, the Fine Arts School in Paris.[2] During these years, Mochtar took the initiative travelling around Europe, looking at art and visiting museums. Apin was a great admirer of the optical art of
Victor Vasarely, having lived for several years in France. His geometric paintings from this period are related to the graphic work of Vasarely.[3]
With these experiences, Mochtar was well equipped to debate on the role of art in Indonesia.
Mochtar returned to Bandung in 1958 and joined the teaching staff of his former faculty one year prior to the departure of Ries Mulder. His last retrospective in 1988 was held in Bandung and Jakarta, four years after he received tenure as professor at the ITB.[4]
In 1960, Mochtar married Sien Mochtar Apin, and the couple had three daughters, Karina, Arleti and Marella Mochtar Apin.[1]
^Painting Exhibition of Bandung Artists. 21-28 Dec. 1986, Director General of the Ministry of Fine Arts, page 20
^Mengenang Perintis Seni Rupa Indonesia: Sjafei Soemardja, Achmad Sadali, Edie Kartasubarna, Mochtar Apin, Angkama Setjadipradja, But Muchtar. Buku ITB, 134 hlm, Des 1995
^Cubism in Asia: Unbounded Dialogues, organized by the Japan Foundation in Tokyo, Seoul and Singapore
[5]