"Menahan Rasa" Painting

For me, art is a space for personal dialogue a place to strengthen both inner and outer connections. It's where I can speak softly, rejoice gently, and cry without anyone noticing. Art is medicine: healing without force, comforting without judgment. It paints the past as a reminder and depicts the future as a prayer.

Growing up in different cities has gifted me with a myriad of stories. As an artist, I keep a diary as part of my creative process. In revisiting the pages I’ve written, I attempt to reconstruct past memories onto a blank canvas. I chose the self-portrait as my main subject, with the head covered by a paper bag. The head symbolizes the center of consciousness, thoughts, ideas, and identity. The paper bag may signify an effort to protect what is invisible yet profoundly important our thoughts, memories, and essence.

Through this self-portrait, I explore identity, consciousness, and concealment how we often hide parts of ourselves behind symbols of our own making.

I use various techniques and media to find the most effective way to convey emotion, ideas, and personal experience. Each method has its own character and language. Through their combination, I strive to create an experience that is not only seen but also felt.

To me, painting is not merely about fulfilling aesthetic desires; it is a means to share stories and convey messages. Through my work, I hope to evoke a sense of resonance in those who view it. Ultimately, I want my art to transcend time, connecting emotions, experiences, and imaginations across generations.