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The Story of Painter Tommy Pangesa, Continues to Create with His Left Hand After Suffering a Stroke

The Story of Painter Tommy Pangesa, Continues to Create with His Left Hand After Suffering a Stroke

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The Story of Painter Tommy Pangesa, Continues to Create with His Left Hand After Suffering a Stroke

Spirit is a fire that must not be extinguished, even when the storms of life come crashing in. This philosophy seems to be a guiding principle for senior painter, Tommy Pangesa. Amidst physical limitations due to a stroke, he not only refuses to give up but also continues to create in an extraordinarily inspiring way.

In the last two years, Tommy Pangesa's life has changed drastically. A stroke paralyzed the right side of his body, robbing him of the ability of his dominant hand to paint. However, instead of retiring, he adapted and trained his left hand to continue his soul's calling on the canvas.

Read other news about local painters at Liputan6.com.

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"Yes, it's been two years since the stroke, I paint with my left hand," said Tommy Pangesa when met at his home in the Pluit area, Penjaringan, North Jakarta, Saturday (11/10/2025).

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For an artist, losing the function of one's main hand is a heavy trial. However, Tommy sees it as a challenge. Besides his deep love for art, he also has to keep working to make a living. "If not, what will I eat," he said honestly.

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The results are astonishing. With his left hand, he has produced hundreds of new paintings that maintain their quality. His works are still sought after by loyal collectors, proving that the value of art does not lie in the physical perfection of its creator.

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On the other hand, Tommy's innovative spirit had actually been instilled long before he fell ill. He is known for his anti-mainstream painting technique, which involves using a spoon to create thick and distinctive paint textures. "I paint with thick paint and use a spoon. So, in other words, I don't want to follow others," he stated.

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This uniqueness has become his weapon in facing the challenges of the times, including the onslaught of art produced by artificial intelligence (AI). For him, no matter how advanced technology is, it will never be able to replace the 'soul' and human touch in a work of art.

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"AI is amazing, but it will eventually fall behind. If art is created by someone, that’s the only one, it can’t be replaced," he asserted.

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Now, after decades of wandering and participating in various exhibitions on the international stage, Tommy has one big dream that has been postponed: to hold his first solo exhibition. "Originally, there was a plan for an exhibition, but it was postponed," he said.

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The life journey of Tommy Pangesa, starting from losing all his assets in the 1998 tragedy, rising again in Singapore, to now battling a stroke, is a real testament to the resilience of a true artist. His spirit is an inspiration that limitations are not a barrier to continue creating beauty.