SwissArtGallery · Documented identity
Popo Iskandar, an Indonesian painter born in Garut in 1927 and who died in Bandung in 2000, pursued a career encompassing painting, teaching, essay writing and criticism. He began training in painting during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia, then entered the Bandung Institute of Technology in 1953. After an unsuccessful attempt at studying architecture, he obtained an undergraduate degree in mathematics there. His training included instruction from Hendra Gunawan and Barli Samitawinata. Sources also note the influence of Ries Mulder, associated with Cubism and abstraction, as well as that of Hendra Gunawan’s realism; Iskandar later developed his own style.
One source characterises his painting as marked by strong expression, particularly in its figurative treatment. The cats he painted frequently earned him the nickname “cat painter”; “Cat” and “Rooster” are among his known motifs.
His exhibition history includes a solo exhibition in The Hague in 1976 and numerous participations in exhibitions in Indonesia and abroad. He was among the participants in the 1986 Jakarta Biennale and in the exhibition “Pameran Lukisan 8 Pelukis Penerima Anugerah Seni”, held in Jakarta from 11 to 17 January 1988. In 1980, the Indonesian government awarded him the Anugerah Seni Negara. Elected president of BPB Kiwari Bandung in 1960, he became a member of the Jakarta Academy in 1970 and remained one until his death, according to the Indonesian source.
His work as an essayist and critic included a commission from the Jakarta Academy to write a book about Affandi on the occasion of the latter’s seventieth birthday. The book was published in Jakarta in 1977 under the title Affandi: Suatu jalan Baru dalam Realisme. In 1982, he was also part of the team preparing Sejarah Seni Rupa Indonesia, published in Jakarta by the Directorate of Culture of the Ministry of Education and Culture. A book by Mamannoor devoted to Iskandar’s painting and thought was published in Bandung in 1998 by Yayasan Matra Media.
This profile brings together identity references for Popo Iskandar and paintings, drawings and works on paper documented in auction catalogues.
Schuler
References include catalogue entries and available results; they do not all represent completed sales. Attributed works and special lots are excluded from the priced results.
Watercolour on paper
Jago (Rooster)
Aquarell auf Papier
Catalogue period : 2026-09-11
Published result : 220 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 200–300
View the lot at the auction house ↗
Watercolour on paper
Penari
Aquarell auf Papier
Catalogue period : 2026-09-11
Published result : 400 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 300–500
View the lot at the auction house ↗SwissArtGallery documentary note based on the cited sources. Titles, media and qualifications are provided in the profile language; the original catalogue wording remains available in each record.
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