A Visit to Artist Erica Hestu Wahyuni’s Home

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Tania Utomo (T) talks to Erica Hestu Wahyuni (E)

As part of Whiteboard Journal's internship program, our intern Tania Utomo was given the chance to become project manager in documenting this the bold and vibrant work of painter Erica Hestu Wahyuni in her home in Yogyakarta.

Author Tania Utomo · Photo/Illustration Tania Utomo

09/11/12 · 15,474 Views

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Erica Hestu Wahyuni: The name Erica is certainly no stranger to Indonesia’s art world. Known as Art’s Most Playful Child, the artist is known for her distinct, expressive character and childlike paintings, hundreds distributed among collectors and galleries in the country. A graduate from Institut Seni Indonesia, during her studies her works were not always well received by her peers and mentors, often criticized as naive and childish. But believing in herself, Erica stayed true to her own style and continued to manifest her spirit of playfulness and gained favorable attention through her attractive and nostalgic paintings.

Under the joglo roof of her house is where Erica Hestu Wahyuni spends every day doing her magic, surrounded by her beloved family – her source of inspiration. Canvases, paint, and brushes are spread around the spacious room, a colorful mess inside her Javanese house. Her children seems to be her source of energy, running around behind their mother while she works. She takes inspiration from children’s fantasies and imagination — drawings of animals, cars, people, and sceneries of her hometown are scattered around her giant canvas, painted in such an expressive manner that it immediately draws the eyes of anyone entering the room. As if the canvas is her playground, she finds amusement in adding layers of paint and creating textures to her paintings. To this day, Erica continues to invite us to reminisce about our playful childhood through her vision of a colorful world.

T :

What is a typical day for you?

E :

I do aerobics and yoga in the morning. I really enjoy yoga. During yoga I can relax and let go of my thoughts for a while, it’s refreshing. I would be done around ten, then most of the time I would do my paintings, and play with my kids.

T :

What tools do you always have with you?

E :

Everywhere I go, especially when traveling, I always bring my oil pencil, so I can sketch whenever I go. On the plane, I usually use the disposable paper bag to sketch, and people around me would feel sorry and give me a piece of paper to draw on, while in fact I actually kind of enjoy sketching on paper bags.

T :

What inspires you?

E :

Pretty much anything. I enjoy traveling, I do it frequently before I had kids, but I haven’t got much time to do it. At home, I enjoy yoga and riding motorcycles. But often times what I paint are the things I really wanted to do, places I really wanted to go but never had the chance to. I would imagine myself doing it, going there, so my inspirations are not necessarily real life experiences.

T :

What is your favorite animal?

E :

Elephants. They’re cute and kids are fond of them.

T :

What is your creative process?

E :

I have no specific formula. For me, the best thing to do is keep doing what you do, keep pushing yourself until you reach your limit.

T :

What is the most rewarding moment during your work?

E :

That would be hard to answer because I enjoy every part of it. The sketching, the painting, even dealing with collectors.

T :

What do you like the most about your workspace?

E :

I do most of my paintings at home, though I can pretty much work anywhere, but it probably doesn’t work that way for most artists. Maybe others have their own particular places that inspires them, but I think the only thing that matters is yourself. I believe that the one in control of our feeling and mood is ourselves, not our surrounding. Once I did an exhibition where on its first day I did a little demo for the kids. I once even finished a painting on the plane. It is definitely less comfortable than being at home, but I still enjoy it. But to answer the question, the best thing about working at home is having my family around me, being able to interact with my kids while working. Sometimes my friends would visit, and I would paint while they are around. It is my happy place and it gives me a lot of good energy.

T :

What is your favorite media to paint?

E :

My favorite is canvas, though I also do sketches on papers. I prefer acrylic paints because it has no odor. Many of my paintings are made for children, so I use acrylic so that my paintings are safe to be put in their rooms.

T :

What do you think are the limitation in doing work by hand?

E :

Painting certainly involves skills. It is something we develop over time. How advanced we are depends on how often we do it, how much we explore. 10 years ago I didn’t have the skills to be able to do what I do now, and didn’t even imagine to do so. I think our ideas and standards develop along with our skill, so it is not about how they limit each other, it is how they both develop over time.

T :

What keeps you going?

E :

Time goes on, and every artist has their era. Affandi had his time, other artists has theirs. Back then during the fight for independence it is those heroic paintings that are relevant, and now it is a whole different story, and I want to be part of that story. I wish to be able to open my own gallery that instead of competing, it works hand in hand with other galleries.

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SnapShots 04: Erica Hestu Wahyuni

Photography by: Tania Utomo

Thank You
Erica Wahyuni & Family
Mega Puspa Arifien Karang