Name Harijadi Sumodidjojo Role Artist | Died 1997 | |
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Born July 25, 1919 ( 1919-07-25 ) Occupation Painter
Sculptor
Carver | ||
Harijadi Sumodidjojo (July 25, 1919 – June 3, 1997) was an Indonesian realist artist who live in revolution era. He carried democratic undestranding through his works which described people's physical form and minds so that it was real enjoyed by the community. Some of his art works are the paintings of Awan Berarak Jalan Bersimpang dan Biografi II di Malioboro (Biography II in Malioboro), Anak Tetangga Kita (Our Neighbor's Kid), stone reliefs titled Pesta Pura di Bali (Pura Party in Bali), and mural painted on the wall of Jakarta History Museum. The 200 m² unfinished mural described Batavia's life during 1880 until 1920. This Mural is buried in an ethnography room from 1974 until 2010 when some British and Indonesian historians found it unexpectedly.
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Harijadi was one of the painter who often invited by Soekarno to discuss about paintings. His believe to Soekarno's national ideology had limited him to work in Indonesia New Order(1968–1998). At that time, any concepts related with Soekarno had become a fear. Until his end of life, he still held the principle to use his art works for people and refused to serve ruler.
Biography
Harijadi Sumodidjojo was born on July 25, 1919 in Ketawang, Kutoardjo, Jawa Tengah. Some sources state that he was born in 1921 so that he can be part of School Soldier. His father was Samadi, a helper teacher and headmaster of public school Ongko Loro in Ketawangrejo. Samadi was well known as literature and karawitan lover. Whereas, his mother was Ngadikem binti Mansur, the daughter of tobacco landlord in Jember, Jawa Timur.
Career
Before becoming an autodidact artist, Harijadi had studied business. His painting works started when he worked as movie poster maker. In 1940-1941, he worked as a commercial artist for a firm in Jakarta. He was well known as one of artist produced by Young Indonesian Artist (Seniman Indonesia Muda - SIM), under Sindoesoedarsono Soedjojono as the leader. To fulfill his family needs, Harijadi also worked as a teacher in woman school.
During the World War II, Harijadi joined Alliance Army as meteorologist and also participated in Malaya and Sumatera war. In 1949, he joined Brigadir 17 from Indonesian Army (TNI) to battle in Yogyakarta during revolution take place. First time he entered the army, he was in lieutenancy II and soon being promoted as Detachment Commander Engineer Brigade 17 for South Kedu region.
In 1965, Soekarno sent Harijadi and Puranto Yapung as artist, also Drs Soemardjo and Drs Buchori as historian to learn about museum in Mexico. They learned how to make diorama from Mario Vasces, an expert in anthropology and museum field which was trusted by Mexico government. The purpose of this trip was to fill National Museum which was built with diorama of Indonesian history. Because of the start of the 30 September Movement in 1965, only 5 out of 30 scenes in the diorama were done. In Mexico, Harijado also met Jose David Alvaro Siquiros, a mural artist and realist painter. He also became a member of Organisacion International de Muralistos del Mundo in South America.
Hobbies
Besides painting, Harijadi had an interest in automotive and racing. He participated in Yogyakarta Motor Sport Association. In, 1956, he became second winner Permi TT( Time Trial) Races class of 350 cc in Surabaya with his BSA Gold type Star. Until, 1970s, he still active in Indonesian Motor Association and worked as checker of machine authenticity every time a motor racing was held in Ancol circuit. Another hobbies of Harijadi are singing and writing poetry. In 1959, he acted in Hartati theater which is directed by Subagio Sastrowardoyo. He also played as an actor in Badai Selatan (1960) and Nyoman Cinta Merah Putih (1989) movies.