Ropih Amantubillah, better known as Abah Ropih, was born in Bandung on February 12, 1959. He has been in love with the world of art since childhood. He was born into a family of artists. His father, Mumu Mitra, was a painter. Before becoming a professional painter, Abah Ropih taught literature. However, due to his artistic family background, he continued his education in fine arts to further explore the world he had come to love.
Inspiration for work
Besides being a painter, Abah Ropih also deeply loves culture. He often takes time to attend cultural events, which inspire his work. He draws inspiration not only from Sundanese culture but also from other cultures such as Bali and Java. From 1999 to 2000, he sold paintings on the side of Braga Street in Bandung, with the aim of keeping the area's cultural scene alive.
Source: Documentation on Jalan Braga, Bandung
Flow and Message of Abah Ropih's Painting
Abah Ropih is known for his abstractionist style of painting. While there are some figurative paintings, his work is more expressive and does not adhere to natural forms. One of his most famous works is "The Golden Tree," which depicts a plant symbol in gold, symbolizing the philosophy of exploring one's potential. This philosophy is also evident in the painting "The Banana Tree," which depicts the life cycle of a banana tree: it will not die before it bears fruit, but once it bears fruit, it will not grow again.
Source: Documentation on Jalan Braga, Bandung
This is not just a work of art, but also a prayer and hope for his descendants, while also passing on the values of Indonesian culture through every stroke. However, Abah Ropih left us long ago, precisely on April 22, 2022. His works will always be remembered by the community.
Source: Documentation on Jalan Braga, Bandung
Resource Person: Rizkan Gumilang Sutaryat
Written by: Noverdy R
