Balinese Spiritual Figures in a Surreal Painting by Indonesian Artist Kartika

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On offer is a 1983 painting by the Indonesian artist Kartika. The painting blends her Southeast Asian roots with East … Read more On offer is a 1983 painting by the Indonesian artist Kartika. The painting blends her Southeast Asian roots with East Asian imagery. It features traditional Indonesian or Balinese spiritual figures/goddesses floating in a dreamlike, surreal sky. In the background sits a clear, snow-capped Mount Fuji-esque mountain, rising above a traditional village landscape.
The piece features smooth, ethereal, glaze-like textures and whimsical clouds, reminiscent of mid-to-late 20th-century decorative surrealism and Asian fine art panels.
Kartika Affandi is a second-generation master painter from Indonesia. Born in Jakarta in 1934, she is the only child of legendary artist Affandi. “Ibu kartika,” as she is fondly and respectfully known, practices an incredibly unique style of expressionism. She directly squeezes from tubes and paints with her fingers, endowing raw emotion in snaking patterns onto the canvas – a technique exclusively taught to her by her father, the celebrated artist Affandi.
At first glance, this work appears unsigned. However, the artist’s signature is visible in the upper right quadrant, vertically inscribed as "Kartika” along right border—written in her characteristic fluid, script style, with a sharp underline stroke looping backward. Her stylized shorthand monogram, which includes the two-digit year '83, is immediately to the right of her name, indicating the artwork was painted in 1983.
Clearly stamped "Made in Belgium," the frame is a classic European-made gesso and wood piece, widely exported during the 20th century. Kartika traveled and studied extensively throughout Europe, visiting Austria, Italy and the Netherlands, starting in the 1960s and again in the 1980s. It is highly likely she acquired this Belgian-made framing stock or had the piece mounted during her time working and exhibiting abroad.
Signature/Maker’s Mark: Upper right quadrant, vertically along right border (photos #6-8) Unframed dimensions: See less