Portrait of K. H. Abdurrahman Wahid; President of Indonesia 1999–2001

Credit Line: Gift of the Artist 2012, Collection of SMU

Indra Leonardi is one of Indonesia's leading portrait photographers. In November 2012, he had his first solo exhibition in Singapore titled "Bits of Me – Portraits by Indra Leonardi" at de Suantio Gallery. He exhibited a series titled ‘Indonesian Portraits', which he has been working on since the 1990s. The series is a testament to both the photographer's craft and his sensitivity to his sitters. It features Indonesian thinkers, artists, business leaders and statesmen, and can be viewed at the Administration Building and Office of Core Curriculum.

On the exhibition caption for the artwork, Indra Leonardi says of the portrait:

"This photo was taken at the headquarters of Nahdlatul Ulama where the former President once occupied an office when he was chairman of the Islamic organisation. I wanted to capture his modesty and present Gus Dur in his daily life wearing a batik shirt and peci (cap), and having a clip pen in his shirt pocket."