Bagong Kussudiardja

1928 – 2004

Bagong Kussudiardja (1928-2004), born in Yogyakarta, was a towering figure in Indonesian arts, renowned as a contemporary dance choreographer, painter, and educator. He studied art at the Indonesian Fine Arts Academy (ASRI) Yogyakarta, learning from notable artists such as Sudiarjo, Hendra Gunawan, and Kusnadi.

Kussudiardjas diverse career blossomed after Indonesias independence in 1945. He introduced contemporary batik painting, a fusion of traditional craft with modern artistic expression. Beyond his painting, he founded an Arts Training Center in Yogyakarta. His significant contributions were recognized with numerous accolades, including a Gold Medal from Pope Paul VI (1973), a Gold Medal from the Bangladesh Government (1981)—following an exhibition of his paintings in Dhaka—and a Cultural Art Award from the Indonesian Government.