Nowadays, most painters do not need an object for their paintings. The objects are mostly their imagination and fiction. Paul Husner has become an extraordinary artist who needs real objects to create his paintings. Like other impressionist artist, he has to find his objects and makes sketches, which can be a landscape or a city, a person, or still life. A single object can be drawn several times by impresionist artists, like Paul, but will result different piece of paintings. The works will depend on his mind and feeling at that very moment he paints.

In this exhibition, Paul Husner will share his impression on interesting sceneries and corner of Jakarta, which might not be realized and noticed for all of us. All of these places were observed carefully by Paul. When he found something interesting and right for his feeling, he will find the very right angle/corner that will create the best composition for the art works. Paul Husner is a master of compositions. His experience as the senior teacher in "Ryksakademie voor Beeldende Kunsten" in Amsterdam will really be a solid ground for his works.

In the art market, his natural scenery works are really admired by collectors and can reach a good value. However, from my perspective, his city scenery as shown in this exhibition elaborates different sides of Paul Husner's works, which are stronger and more interesting.

One of his painting's characters is the strong brush stroke, which sometimes is rigid, yet still creating a good composition. The objects are not realism, but yet simplified. His colors usually are bright and colorful, but lately he explores to a more subtle color, and even monochrome colors. His monochromic works are even more interesting.

Eventhough this year he reaches sixty six years old, his spirit is still very strong. He lives in Ubud, Bali and drives a motorcycle, together with his wife, like a young couple. He never quit in exploring and experimenting new things. Because of his entire persona, his works move from one level to another with a stronger and better quality, as well as market appreciation that we see in this exhibition.

July 10, 2008
dr. Oei Hong Djien