This book provides an overview of the rich variety of Indonesian art, and the art history of the country's modern period, through the collection of Dr Oei Hong Djien.

'The history of art in Indonesia mirrors the cultural history of the nation. After the introduction of oil painting in the colonial period, Indonesian painters created their own styles, techniques and themes. They documented the struggle for independence from the Dutch, stimulated by the first president of the Indonesian Republic, Soekarno. During the fifties, the artistic debate focused on the search for a specific Indonesian identity in modern art. Today, half a century later, this search has resulted in a wide variety of techniques and concepts. The economic boom under President Soeharto's leadership in the 1980s and 1990s has led to many changes in the art world. Collectors and galleries have greatly encouraged the production of modern art, establishing a lively art market. The cultural diversity of Indonesia has led to artistic solutions in modern art that blend the traditional and the modern, the national and the international, creating a unique world.' - excerpt from the front flap

Includes biographical notes on the artists, bibliography, and list of artist monographs.