From the first moment on I was hooked by Erica’s work. It’s deeply touching. Talking about life in a very honest way but mixed with a certain dream-like or movie-like feel some works have to it. Uncovering emotions, making you think and evoking a certain nostalgia and familiarity in you.
For the following I asked Erica if she wants to do an interview with me:
Luna Maluna Gri: Tell me a bit about yourself and your work.
Erica Sutandi: My name is Erica, I’m 29, an artist and graphic designer based in Jakarta Indonesia. Growing up as a Chinese descendant in Indonesia, I’ve always been aware of the duality between Chinese and Javanese cultures, as my family has long assimilated into Indonesian culture. Constantly questioning myself and the things happening around me, I’ve poured much of these reflections into my work. That’s why my art often explores themes of self-discovery, identity, culture, and womanhood, what it means to be a person navigating all of these layers.
LMG: How and why did you start creating art?
ES: Art has always been part of my life since I was a child. My parents played a big role, they were the ones who always gave me paper and drawing tools to explore. I felt like it was the only thing I could truly hold on to, the thing that was mine. I joined competitions, kept creating, and eventually realized this was the path I wanted to take. That’s why I decided to major in Painting at Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), to study art professionally. Until today, art has never left me. Even when it’s not always in the form of painting, I keep expressing it through various media, both manual and digital.
LMG: What role does creating art play for you?
ES: For me, creating art is a form of healing, a way to free my mind from burdens and obligations. It’s my safe space, my personal way of speaking and expressing myself. It allows me to escape the weight of everyday life and just be.
LMG: What does your creating process look like?
ES: I overthink all the time. My head is always buzzing, and making art helps me sort through it. I don’t like working completely spontaneously; I prefer building a concept first. I’m drawn to things that are ambiguous, cryptic, or paradoxical—things that take time to unpack. My process usually starts with writing down my thoughts, then translating them into symbols, objects, or imagery that personally resonate with me. I try to connect all these elements into one visual language, a hidden message that expresses what’s on my mind, my unspoken thoughts.
LMG: What inspires you?
ES: My biggest inspiration often comes from self-reflection and my own thoughts. Sometimes it’s sparked by interactions with people close to me, emotional experiences, current events, or objects around me. But most of all, I would say the past inspires me the most, because it shapes the way I think and feel in the present.
LMG: What is your experience with the art world?
ES: To be honest, my experience with the art world is quite limited. After graduating and then going through the pandemic, I became disconnected from it. The art world can feel very elitist and difficult to break into. In the past, I’ve joined some group exhibitions, worked on art projects, and participated in a few related events, but nothing too significant yet.
LMG: Is there something you want to change about the art world? If yes, what and why?
ES: Absolutely. Especially in Indonesia, where many people still don’t see art as something essential, it’s often treated as mere decoration. I really wish people could appreciate and understand that art is deeply intertwined with life itself. Whether you’re a creator or an audience, art is part of how we think, see, feel, and live. It’s in the way we form opinions, perspectives, even in how we dress or move through the world. I hope the art world here becomes more open, less exclusive, and provides more platforms for emerging artists. I also wish that art could be taken more seriously as a career path.
Right now, there’s always that tension between passion and survival because the ecosystem isn’t fully supportive yet. I hope this can change.
LMG: What do you think is/are the role/-s of artists and art in our society?
ES: This might sound cliché, but I believe the role of art is to create resonance—to spark reflection, emotions, and sometimes even transformation. At the same time, I also think art doesn’t always have to be functional; it can simply exist as it is, open to interpretation. For me, artists serve as “stoppers” in a way, inviting people to pause, reflect, and go deeper into themselves. Art gives people a space to think and feel on a more spiritual or human level.
LMG: What artist/artists would you like to meet (dead or alive) and if you had one question what would you ask them?
ES: Without hesitation: David Hockney! I’m completely immersed in his work and creative process, there isn’t a single thing about him or his art that I dislike. I adore how he plays with colors, distorts reality, and creates such vibrant, unique worlds. If I ever met him, I’d probably have a million questions. But if I had to pick one, I’d ask: “If you could only use one color in a painting, which one would you choose?”
LMG: Is there something you want to achieve in your art life? Dreams? Future plans? Or art projects you would like to do?
ES: Yes, definitely. I dream of being an artist who consistently creates, exhibits, and grows. I want the freedom to keep producing art, to be part of a community where ideas and processes are shared, and maybe pursue a Master’s degree to deepen my understanding of art. I also hope to do more collaborations with fellow artists, designers, and even people from other creative fields, because Ibelieve collaboration can open up new perspectives, push boundaries, and create works that are richer and more meaningful. I also want to bring my works into more tangible forms, objects or designs that people can purchase or collect. This might lean a bit towards the business side, but it’s part of my vision. For now, I’m taking small steps while preparing myself financially and artistically for the future. I believe there’s no such thing as “too late” in art, everything has its time.
LMG: Do you think there is something you can bring to this world through your work as an artist which you couldn’t in any other field of work?
ES: Yes, absolutely. Maybe not to the whole world, but at least to the people who experience my work. I hope my art can open dialogues, evoke emotions, and bring up questions people might not have asked themselves before.
Credits:
Copyright of all photos and artworks: Erica Sutandi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericasutandi
