But Muchtar was born in Bandung, December 20, 1930. In 1952 - 1959 he completed his education at the Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia in Bandung (ITB). At ITB, But was a student of Ries Mulder. After graduating from ITB, But went to school in Rhode Island School of Design, Provedence, RI USA (1960-1961), Art Students League of New York, NY, USA (1961), Sculpture Center of New York, NY, USA (1961 - 1962), Research Fellow, Masschusetts Institute of Technology, USA (1962-2963). After going abroad, he was given various roles in the department, among them: Head of Department of Fine Arts ITB (1975-1977), ITB Secretary of Communication and Culture (1977-1980), Rector Secretary of Communication and Culture, ITB (1980-1984 ), and since 1984 has been the Rector of the Indonesian Art Institute. He was also actively involved in various art activities, both nationally and internationally, as a jury for Arsitektur Gedung Kotamadya Bandung (1979), Sayembara Monumen Proklamator RI, Jakarta (1980), Ketua Design Canter Pavilion Indonesia, EXPO'86, Vancouver, Canada (1985). Since 1954, his works have been exhibited not only in Bandung, Jakarta or Surabaya, but also in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, New Delhi, London, Ithaca, New York and Rio de Jainero. The contribution of his monumental sculpture in Jakarta, are Wood Relief at Wisma Bahari, Tanjung Priok (1964), Metal Relief at DPR/MPR, Jakarta (1970). But Muchtar passed away on 31st June 1993.
