In January 1976, the Flores Room Hotel Borobudur in Jakarta played host to a rare art exhibition. Basuki Abdullah, an acclaimed painter who had not held an exhibition in Indonesia for almost 20 years, showcased approximately 200 works. The exhibition was sponsored by Adam Malik, Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time, who was a powerful advocate of Basuki Abdullah’s art.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Mrs. Tien Suharto, the wife of President Suharto. She received a portrait painting of herself from Basuki Abdullah and another painting donated by Sudwikatmono, which was a reflection of the roles of President Suharto and Mrs. Tien as leaders, scouts, and farmers. The paintings of Mrs. Tien and President Suharto were the center of attention, with the positioning of two paintings of the helm from Indonesia and Thailand side by side.
Basuki Abdullah’s exhibition received a warm welcome from various circles, including Ali Sadikin, Governor of DKI Jakarta, and the exhibition hall was overflowing with visitors, including schoolchildren who stopped by to see the original paintings of Basuki Abdullah.
In addition to exhibiting and selling paintings, Basuki Abdullah had a mission to encourage the Indonesian government to build a national art gallery. He donated Rp7,350,850 to the DKI Jakarta Regional Government through Governor Ali Sadikin, which was entirely the result of his desire for the Indonesian government to realize the presence of a national art gallery.
Basuki Abdullah’s great desire for the Indonesian government to build a national art gallery was encouraged by him by making a donation of Rp7,350,850 to the DKI Jakarta Regional Government through Governor Ali Sadikin. The donation was handed over directly by Basuki Abdullah to Ali Sadikin at Jakarta City Hall a week after the exhibition at the Borobudur Hotel closed.
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