Samsul Arifin

The painting is in good condition, as is the canvas, which is clear and taut. The paint layers are intact. The background of the actual painting is clear in reality, without the faint lines that seem to appear on the catalogue illustration. The colours are also actually crisper and the background is more pastel with a stronger pink hue on the lower register compared to those in the catalogue.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Perched at the top of an erect No. 2B pencil that is partly sharpened such that half of the core within is exposed is Samsul Arifin's avatar, Goni, the kapok stuffed doll with googly plastic eyes. He is posing in the posture of Rodin's Thinker. His position is extremely fragile and precarious; not only is the pencil prone to topple over, but the exposed graphite appears as if it threatens to break at any moment.

Samsul's The Thinker #01 discusses one of the most essential and basic benchmarks of a developed nation: education. In the extremely competitive world of the 21st century, academic achievement is not only a pre-requisite but also a determinant for success. Yet for a developing nation like Indonesia, secondary education is still a privilege and a luxury. In the present work, Samsul's ubiquitous pencil is reminiscent of Staedler's No. 2B, which is used to fill in computerized forms. It is a clear reference to examinations, including those in university admissions. The artist observes the Catch-22 situation: without a solid educated work force it is difficult for people to truly advance and prosper, and yet economic progress seems to be a necessity for higher education. As Samsul rendered eloquently on his canvas, a solution cannot be achieved by merely changing the external elements; it is only by strengthening the core foundation of education can a nation really move forward.