Indonesian Independence Through the Eyes of Australian Artist Tony Rafty OAM

As part of this week’s celebrations for Indonesian Heroes’ Day (10 November), the Australian Embassy is proud to present an important exhibition of sketches, letters and caricatures entitled Soerabaia 1945: Exhibition of Sketches and Caricatures by Australian Artist Tony Rafty. The exhibition, to be officially opened on Wednesday (10 November) by renowned Australian artist Tony Rafty OAM, will be held at the ABJS Gallery in Surabaya until 20 November 2010.

Mr Rafty’s collection retraces his observations of Indonesia’s struggle for independence and the supporting role Australia played in assisting with this freedom. Most of his sketches were created during his time in Indonesia in 1945 while working for the Sydney daily newspaper The Sun. He witnessed a number of historical events including the Battle of Surabaya; a battle that helped galvanise Indonesian and international support for Indonesian independence and for which Indonesian Heroes’ Day is now commemorated.

Mr Rafty’s letters written at that time reveal the sympathy he felt for the Indonesian cause and the admiration he had for his friend and Indonesia’s then emergent leader, President Soekarno. He also befriended a number of other prominent Indonesians including fellow artists Basuki Abdullah and Affandi, many of whom are depicted in this collection. During the Second World War, Mr Rafty had been an official war artist for the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) in Papua New Guinea, Borneo and Singapore.

Over the course of Mr Rafty’s career, his work has been exhibited worldwide and more than 15,000 caricatures have featured in major newspapers and magazines. In 1990 Mr Rafty received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his services to the media.

“I am delighted to welcome back one of Australia’s most celebrated cartoonists and caricaturists to Indonesia; a country for which he holds great affection. Through his work Indonesians and Australians are able to learn about the strong people-to-people links between our two nations and how these played a significant role during the struggle for Indonesia’s independence,” said Australia’s Chargé d’Affaires, Paul Robilliard.

As part of this exhibition, the Embassy will also be hosting other activities in Jakarta and Surabaya with Indonesian artists, university students, BRIDGE sister school students and Australian alumni.

This exhibition and Mr Rafty’s visit to Indonesia was sponsored by the Australian Embassy in collaboration with Jawa Pos newspaper and Garuda Indonesia. Much of Mr Rafty’s 1945 Indonesian collection is still held at the National Library of Australia in Canberra.

Media Enquiries:
Sanchi Davis, Cultural Attaché tel. (021) 2550 5260 mob. 0811 936 302