ARTIST STATEMENT
My Career: I am a fine artist originally from Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia. I graduated from Indonesia Institute of Art (Institut Seni Indonesia) Yogyakarta with a major in Painting in 2006. For me, creating art is an expression of my soul, born from my aesthetic experience. With each new work, I strive to use my technique and vision to make an impact on the evolution of art. My work has also been included in exhibitions at Cheim & Read Gallery in New York, Siena Art Institute in Siena Italy, and The National Art Museum of China in Beijing, as well as other locations internationally. My Story: Many years ago, my father was the headmaster of a local school and he occasionally taught mathematics to the students. When I was young, maybe three or four years old, I would sometimes spend time with my father in his classroom at the school. I always ran to the blackboard to grab some chalk and began drawing with it. I was mesmerized. Above, my father was focused on delivering his lesson, with equations strewn about the blackboard. Below, there I was with my chalk and a focus of my own. Occasionally he would break his focus as the older students looked on and chuckled at me. My father recognized my artistic abilities early on and always supported them. He sought out information on how I could further my education in art locally. One of our neighbors had a daughter who studied dance at a performing arts school. Through that, my father was able to find out that there was a fine art school in that same area. My father knew nothing other than the location of the school. The most poignant moment for me, in my development as a career artist, was the day that my father went with me to register for that senior high school. It was nearly two hours away, by bus. It was only the beginning of my journey, but even then I understood that art would always be my life. Each school day, I rode those same two hours by bus, to school and back home. I was driven. I had never known of anyone personally who studied art beyond senior high school until my sister told me about my neighbor’s brother. I never knew him then, but just hearing about his story was an inspiration to me. He was older than me, and he had left home to study art in Yogyakarta. His story planted a seed that would one day come to fruition in my own life. I carry this inspiration and drive with me daily and put it into each new painting that I produce. You can download my CV below, which includes a list of exhibitions and awards. |
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