War and Peace

War and Peace shows two fighters on a mountainous terrain looking out into the distant horizon. Although both figures are resting, they appear to be on guard. One has his hands on a rifle; the other grasps the arms of his comrade in anticipation. During Indonesia’s war for independence against the Dutch from 1945 to 1949, Hendra Gunawan formed a group with other artists known as Pelukis Front or “Frontline Painters”. They fought fierce battles alongside other soldiers, and Hendra was said to have brought back numerous sketches from the battlefront which would later serve as references for his larger paintings. This work was made after the war and captures Hendra’s observations during battle. He also makes a poignant reference to the mountains in this scene. In Javanese tradition and folklore, mountains symbolise inspiration and strength – a message of hope he had perhaps wanted to convey.