Amrus Natalsya

1933 – 2024

Amrus Natalsya was born in Natal, North Sumatra, on 21 October 1933. He was a renowned Indonesian poet, painter, and wood sculptor. After finishing high school, he pursued his passion for art by enrolling in the Academy of Fine Arts of Indonesia in Yogyakarta in 1954.

In 1957, he held his first solo exhibition in Jakarta, marking a historic moment as Indonesia’s first outdoor art exhibition. His wooden sculptures, some reaching up to four meters high, were displayed under the open sky.

In 1983, at the invitation of the mayor of Jeddah, he created five wooden calligraphic monuments for the city. His contributions to Indonesian art were widely recognized, and in 1998, he received the Best Award at Triennale Jakarta II, organized by the Jakarta Arts Council. Amrus Natalsya passed away in 2024, leaving behind a rich artistic legacy. His works have been collected by art enthusiasts both in Indonesia and internationally.