Cushion Talk Pt.1

A collection of cushion designed by me and printed on 100% cotton twill. It was inspired by the oddity of Indonesian beauty. It has been doing good so far, so hopefully we can expect more coming in the future. Few pieces are still available, any chance you might feel interested, message me or leave some comments below. Thanks! Oh it was so fun working on this.

MURAL: GIGI ART OF DANCE

A whole week of working on Gigi Art of Dance's wall was pure joy and fun. I failed to resist the distractions of tutu minions and precious peep talk with mothers that was lounging in the waiting room. It was more like doing fun activities in your little sister's room, not to mention the endless snack breaks that came in between. Labour work was never so full of love before! 

Thank you Gigi, Tante Reita, Om Rudy and the whole Gigi Art of Dance people who was not only kind but very inspiring as well! Tons tons of love.

Process

Details

Sketches

They make good prints as well I guess

Instagram squares (@utayutay). Thank you Dana for taking my portrait!

The waiting lounge at Gigi Art of Dance (still in a mess, thanks to me ^^)

ILLUSTRATION: KULT MAGAZINE

Submission for KULT Magazine issue 10 themed "Unbreakable"

Artwork Title: "A Mother's Love"

When it comes to a battle, nothing beats a mother's heart. It may bleed a little, it may have some fighting scars, but there is nothing that can bring her down no matter how hard the world is hurting one.

To me the word "Unbreakable" has nothing to do with being perfect, untouchable, nor extra ordinary power. In contrast, it is the struggle that counts the most. Unbreakable is about endurance and the art of survival, to not break even you have a chance and are allowed to. Fortunately, it is where our mother's love expertise the most.

Salute to all the mothers and their unbreakable love! God bless you.

P.S I think the magazine will hit Singapore streets by this week.

"A Mother's Love"

Watercolour & Gouache on Paper

TRIBUTE TO RADEN SALEH: RADEN SALEH GOES FASHION

Okay. It's time for this blog to resurrect. I don't have any good reason why it took so long for one to make updates so I'll cut the crap and start to post things instead.

Back in April, I submitted some designs to participate in a fashion design competition held by JERIN (an official cultural partnership between the Germany and Indonesian government) that was organized by Goethe-Institut. It was interesting because it was part of the first ever Raden Saleh exhibition in Indonesia and I have always been one of his biggest fan even way before. Thank God I made it to the final 11 with participants from all over Indonesia. We were given a very decent budget to produce a mini collection between 3-5 set of either womenswear or menswear.

So, I decided to create 4 sets of menswear. I chosen menswear simply because I feel like so. I always wonder and try to imagine how grand was his personality. You definitely can't be average to make it out there in Europe, leave alone in the 1800s. This collection was about a story from my own imagination of how a current Raden Saleh will dress up for an exhibition opening, a gala dinner, or any of his possible routines if he was still alive today. About how Raden Saleh always tries to hold onto his roots while blending in to fit in his surroundings.

The show was held on the 9th of June 2012 (so passé I know...please forgive me) but however, it all went well. Although I did not win the ticket to Berlin, but it was a sweet and great experience. Big hugs for friends who came to support and also helped during the preparation!  

P.S Thank you Nico Yoga (and his friend) and Goethe-Institute for the catwalk photos. 

Title

Moodboard

Sketches

Customized Card

Flower Swatch

Traditional Cloth Swatch

Imaji by Ruth Marbun

Image source: http://nationalgeographic.co.id/berita/2012/06/ketika-raden-saleh-jadi-kiblat-mode

One of my favorite piece: Motorbike Velvet Javanese Beskap with Gold Embroidery

The Exhibition

COMPETITION: FOLKTALE ILLUSTRATION

So, last sunday was not so bad. Despite the fact not only I submitted late, in the wrong format and this I just realized today I kid you not..left one page of the original artwork in the scanner!?!x#&*?? (ssssshh..don't tell anyone!), I can't be more relieved and grateful to be chosen as the runner up for Lomba Ilustrasi Cerita Rakyat (a Folktale Illustration Competition) held by Kelompok Pecinta Bacaan Anak. My work was based on a story from South Sulawesi, Indonesia: it's about a girl who married a Tattadu (caterpillar) out of despair because she was always bullied by her older sisters. (I believe this book should've come with "Kids, don't try this at home" warning). However, of course, long story short the sad good hearted creature turned into a handsome Prince and they lived happily ever after. I definitely need to thank Kania who had shared with me about the competition and happy to know she actually won it! Woot woot!

Story copyright belongs to the author Murti Bunanta

Illustration copyright belongs to Ruth Marbun

There's always a fuzzy warm feeling whenever I see kids reading or even just holding tight to their book. It was such a shame that this 4 days story telling festival "Festival Bercerita KPBA" (where the competition was part of it) did not have the exposure to reach out further. Kids and parents enjoyed the shows equally and so did I.  Two highlights from the last day of the festival : First, was the performance of Jasmine Wirawan, a multi talented teenager who delivered the story of Putri Kemang through an entertaining narration and fierce choreography. She tickled the audience badly by revealing a human size banner of prince charming that was a collage of Gatot Kaca body paired with Justin Biebers oversized head at the end of her show. Hilarious!

Would you kiss the frog?

The second unforgettable act was definitely by Kak Bimo from Yogyakarta, who is apparently quite famous (thanks to Google). He is like the the whole cast of Madagascar combined with Opera Van Java's all squeezed into the body of one man. In a rather pleasant way, of course. A funny man with a superb story telling skill who is definitely hired for my future kid's birthday bash.

MURAL: KINDERFIELD'S HAPPY LAND

Preparation. Impressive art installation-ish by the contractor workers.

Before

Nature Calling

Mirror, Mirror!

Morning Glory

"Rainbow field, magic mushroom and flower power. Where kids can take sugar and fly higher. "

My latest artwork for Kinderfield Pre-School, Depok (July 2012)

It's actually still 80% in progress, to be continued once holiday season is back. Another tree mural is coming on the way as well.

Thank you Kak Eva and partners of Kinderfield Depok for the wonderful opportunity! :)

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P.S Thank you Fadrian Goeltom for discovering me. For believing in me. :)

DASH MAGAZINE VOL.01 : Eastern Street Rising

A couple of chosen illustrator from the La Mode Outré x Illustrators, a street style meets fashion illustration project, are being featured in the current premiere issue of London based high fashion editorial & art print, DASH Magazine, and that's including me! Yippie!! 

I'm in LOVE with the magazine. No, not because there's a tiny drawing of mine (well, maybe a little..) but DASH does have deep articles and amazing artworks inside. Rather than trying to tell you what to wear next summer, they prefer to share the minds of great artists and fashion insiders that either heavily inspire or make us, the readers, feel so unworthy. It kind of depends on how good your day was. 

Definitely thank you James Bent from La Mode Outré for the opportunity and also Camilla the Jedi for being my interview grammar police! 

The interview. A little disclaimer: The material was submitted far before 2012, I was still with the label.

Say hi to Linda. 

Another illustration that have been submitted for the article. It's a picture of Ain.