Pacita Abad (1946 - 2004)
Antareja and Arimbi
signed (lower right)dated 1995
oil on padded canvas, stitched with sequins,rhinestones, buttons, pearls, beads, mirrors,tie dye silk and cotton



León Gallery wishes to thank Mr. and Mrs. Jack Garrityfor confirming the authenticity of this lot




Through this 1983 titled Antareja and Arimbi, Abad effectively develops a uniquely asian and oriental aesthetic philosophy through a revitalized approach of traditional techniques and materials. The work is part of Abad’s Wayang Kulit series that drew inspiration from different mythological texts often depicted in traditional Indonesian Wayang theatre, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, while utilizing the traditional Indonesian practice of batik weaving. The work features two traditional Wayang characters found in the Javanese version of the Mahabharata, Arimbi, a mythological demon, and Antareja, a king and fierce general who embodies the distinct culture of the Javanese people given that the figure is not found in the original Indian iteration of the Mahabharata, but in the version recorded and passed down by Javanese poets. The work itself features the traditional facets of batik weaving through its use of sequins, buttons, rhinestones, pearls, and beads, on silk and cotton fabric. As arguably one of the most well-known and influential Filipino artists on the world stage, visual artist and painter Pacita Abad’s oeuvres have proved themselves, time and time again, as not only mere paintings or works of art, but sweeping odes and hymns to the vitality, mystery, and diversity of human life and experience. Her thirty-year painting career began when she traveled to the United States to study law in San Francisco. It was there that she decided to switch careers and dedicate her life to painting. Since then Pacita never stopped being a gypsy and painted the globe while working on six different continents and traveling to more than fifty countries. Abad made history as the first woman to receive the Philippines’ prestigious Ten Outstanding Young Men award. (J.D.)