Biography

Arie Smit was born in Zaandam, the Netherlands, in 1916. He studied at the Academy of Arts in Rotterdam before working as a lithographer for the Dutch Colonial Army in the Dutch East Indies before World War II. In 1956, he moved to Bali to fully dedicate himself to painting and later became an Indonesian citizen. He also taught painting at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), inspiring many young artists.

Smit’s paintings are known for their vibrant colors and expressive compositions, often depicting the natural beauty of his surroundings. His creative energy was relentless, reflected in his bold use of colors, patterns, and textures. He is also widely regarded as a pioneer of pointillism in Indonesia, a technique that uses small dots of color to form an image. Throughout his career, Smit held several solo exhibitions, including at the Bandung Institute of Technology, the Honolulu East-West Center, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta.

His contributions to Indonesian art were recognized with the prestigious "Dharma Kusuma" art award from the Bali provincial government. In his final years, despite his failing eyesight, his mind remained sharp, and he continued to find peace in his home in Ubud, Bali. Arie Smit passed away in 2016.