On the Trail of a Forger?

Aminudin T.H. Siregar, a fine arts critic, was unfamiliar with the art of Dwi Martono. Last April 16, Aminudin, commonly called Ucok, visited Taman Budaya Yogyakarta for an exhibition entitled Memori yang Dibayangkan ('Imagined Memories'), featuring the paintings of Dwi Martono and Maman Rahman. The event was sponsored by Agung Tobing, a stockbroker and art collector. Held on April 14-23, the event was curated by Dwi Marianto and Suwarno Wisetrotomo, both professors of art at the Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI) in Yogyakarta.

Ucok scrutinized Dwi's four large canvas paintings closely, surprised at the facial expressions and postures depicted in Keringat di Bebatuan ('Sweat on Stones') and Tandu yang Kesekian Kali ('Sedan Chair of the Umpteenth Time'). Both are themed around the early independence period. Ucok took pictures of the paintings with his cellphone, allowing him to zoom in on details even closer.

May 24, 2016