Rudy Pranadjaya

1948 – 2005

Rudy Pranadjaya was born in Cirebon, West Java, Indonesia, on November 17, 1948. At the age of 16, in 1964, he moved to Bandung to study art under Barli Sasmitawinata and Srihadi Soedarsono. A modern painter, Rudy drew inspiration from traditional Indonesian art forms. His first exhibition was held in Surabaya, Java, in 1965.

From 1968 to 1971, he lived in Bali, where he became deeply immersed in traditional Balinese imagery, which influenced his works. Between 1971 and 1975, Rudy studied art at Studio Rangga Gempol in Bandung under Barli Sasmitawinata, focusing on modern art techniques. He participated in many group and solo exhibitions in Indonesia and abroad. In 1981–1982, he undertook a study tour in Europe, visiting Denmark, Switzerland, France, and Germany.

A member of “Kelompok Seniman Bandung,” he later became inspired by the traditional wayang kulit (leather puppets) unique to his hometown of Cirebon. Rudy passed away in 2005 in Bandung, Indonesia.