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From the action-packed metropolis of Jakarta, and the tranquil mountainous surroundings of Batu to the culturally rich province of Jambi and the thriving port city of Makassar, the Tezos ecosystem in Indonesia is rife with magnificent creative talent.
To commemorate Indonesia’s 77th Independence Day, TZ APAC and IDNFT have partnered to celebrate this momentous occasion through an important pillar of the nation’s culture: Art.
In the build up to 17 August, a roster comprising 17 of the country’s brightest artistic minds across 17 cities have been curated by IDNFT, all of whom have created breathtaking artwork on Tezos around the theme: “optimism and a renewed spirit”.
Here are their stories:
Storyteller, fiction writer, visual artist, and voice talent Puspa Harsono hails from Blitar. She hopes to inspire artists worldwide with her whimsical, naturalist illustrations.
Her inspiration comes from the people of her hometown and her passion for nature - a hallmark of Indonesia that is well-known globally.
“I want people to embrace nature because it is damaged,” she urges. “And if we don’t do something, humans, animals, and plants will lose their homes.”
“The city of Blitar is the City of the Proclaimer, where the First President of the Republic of Indonesia is buried. Of course, I inherited his fighting spirit to continue to build and inspire everyone,” she continues.
“I am in this city trying to continue to provide all the knowledge I have in the world of non-formal education, namely studios and tutoring. Hopefully there will be future generations who are competent not only in the academic field but also in non-academic fields.”
Puspa describes her Independence Day artwork – Synergy of hope – as a symbol of walking through the past with the goal to build a better future for Indonesia.
“With our synergy with nature and the history of our ancestors, the good wishes that we pray for every day and the things we execute will all be beautiful and good in time,” the artist explained in her Twitter thread.
Her art aims to depict “the spirit of freedom” and recovering faster and rising stronger.
According to Puspa, NFTs are not widely known in her hometown yet, but the movement is fast-growing as it is driven by a “solid community that helps people strengthen each other.”
Ghulam Rock (aka Ghulam Grax) is a digital illustrator based in Malang, East Java. He is the CEO of a successful studio that produces illustrations, packaging design, and motion graphics.
His art is mainly inspired by Chris Wahl, an Australian digital illustrator known for his comic and fantasy art, including animation work on Iron Giant, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, and Wreck it Ralph.
Ghulam said his personal work, a fusion of pop and comic art, has flourished due to increased government, community, and industry support for the arts in recent years. He also mentioned artists have been receiving more opportunities facilitated by the Tezos ecosystem.
Ghulam welcomes the creation of NFTs – especially this 17 August – in the spirit of community and collaboration.
Ghulam believes the Indonesian NFT art scene is growing, though there is room for improvement. His message to other artists is, “Do it yourself. Don’t make others restless. Bring your art to the community and sell it. But remember you are not rich yet!”
Otherwise known as Faldian Irfandi, Paldipaldi is a graphic designer and illustrator with eclectic tastes in film, literature, TV, music, and art. He grew up in Bandung, a city with a thriving art and design scene he says left an indelible impression on him.
Other influences include his father, and his love for childhood comic books and cartoons that now informs his artistic style. When he’s not creating NFTs, he applies his design talents to t-shirts, stickers, posters, and mobile phone cases.
As a keen observer of daily life, he takes everyday moments and mixes them with crazy ideas. He then adds the surrounding details in his outline drawing style.
For this national day of pride, Paldipaldi’s theme is fighting spirit.
“I’m trying to send the message that, no matter how many times we fall, standing up is the best way to fight. I think this is a perfect message for everyone, especially those who live in Indonesia. No matter what you have or are going through, keep fighting!”
According to Paldipaldi, the Indonesian NFT scene right now is “surprising and amazing”.
“Many artists are coming to the surface to show their art, which is great. It’s not just the famous ones. There are so many artists I haven’t heard of showing their beautiful art in many genres and styles.” he says.
Furthermore, he feels that the Tezos ecosystem is the “perfect place” to begin selling art, especially in the NFT space.
“You can learn a lot about how to deliver and promote your art and also meet good friends that can help take your art to a higher level. But the most important thing is that, as Tezos is quite affordable, we can respect and support our fellow artists by purchasing and sharing each other’s art.”
Describing himself as a ’naive’ artist, Mismar___ has gained recognition in the NFT world for his contemporary surrealist works depicting ghosts, monsters, and mystical concepts in vibrant primary colors.
His commitment to producing digital art that causes no environmental harm attracted him to Tezos, as the network’s low carbon footprint was part of his clean crypto mandate.
He cites his greatest inspiration as Henry Mattise’s cutout paper and childish paintings, from which he developed his own style that he continues to adapt.
“This day is 100% about Merdeka (the Indonesian word for independence), and my art is 100% about independence and prosperity. As they say in Indonesia – Merdeka atau mati (Independence or death)!“
According to the artist, the Indonesian NFT scene is crowded, but there is a well-established community. The community has helped him by providing exposure and the ability to reach collectors from the Tezos ecosystem.
Born in Padang, West Sumatra, Rey is a graphic design creator, illustrator, and award-winning photographer who cites his birthplace as the source of nourishment that fuels his art, brain, and soul.
Rey is a multi-faceted character – he has a degree in Agricultural engineering and Biosystems, and works in marketing and public relations in the arts.
He is inspired by artists such as Affandi, Salvador Dali, and Hayao Miyazaki.
Rey’s piece is intended to convey the soul of diversity. His Independence Day artwork titled ‘Frame on our desk’ is a tribute to seeing photos of family and friends at the desk, becoming a supplement to life after being in difficult times.
Rey said that the Indonesian NFT art scene is “very powerful right now”, with the diversity of the Tezos ecosystem allowing him to continue to create art, and even make a living out of it.
Fierza Fahmi Fajri took up photography as a hobby in his hometown of Bandung, not realizing he was on his way to a successful career behind the lens.
His first foray into the professional world was photographing music concerts and theater shows. Like many artists, he has many strings to his bow, which includes wedding, product and brand photography, and more recently, journalism and documentaries.
His greatest inspiration is Ansel Adams, the American landscape photographer and environmentalist famed for his black-and-white American West photos and founder of Group f/64, a collective of photographers who favored sharp focus and full tonal range.
Fierza wanted to convey that the word ‘Merdeka’ today differs from when Bung Karno and Bung Hatta read the proclamation.
According to him, “Independence today means being able to work freely. I hope that this year Merdeka is not only about freedom of work but also about building self-confidence in a wider space.”
His Independence Day artwork ‘Broken dreams’ illustrates that there are people standing in the midst of destruction, and “being independent in Indonesia is as difficult as surviving against the world, always being met with difficult choices.”
However, it is still possible for dreams to come true despite the struggles.
Fierza says that Indonesia’s culture of togetherness can be seen in the many communities and NFT activists connecting with each other every day.
He adds that with the rise of blockchain technology and the Tezos ecosystem, art no longer only belongs to those who go to art school or display their works in galleries, but is now accessible to all.
“More Indonesian artists are gaining recognition in the NFT world. The Tezos ecosystem is a great platform for those starting out.”
NFT creator, logo designer, illustrator and graphic designer Muh Yusuf Aulia Ramadhan (aka Yusufdesi9n), was born in Makassar City.
He says growing up in the iconic cultural center has broadened his world perspective and laid the creative foundations for his abstract, anime-adjacent illustrations.
“The inspiration for my characters is a collaboration between robots and monsters,” he explains.
Yusufdesi9n’s Independence Day artwork – ‘Strength From Within’ aims to tell the audience that everyone has “an extraordinary potential within themselves.”
He believes that strength and enthusiasm will be enhanced when accompanied by science, and it can support the nation and its advancements.
“I want to tell everyone they have extraordinary potential within themselves. I also want to break down people’s concept of ‘can’t’ when creating art. I also want to acknowledge Indonesia’s history of great strength in fighting for independence since 17 August 1945,” he said.
“I’d like us to reflect on the character of our nation’s heroes. We are individuals who embody that character, and it shows in Indonesia’s amazing artists and creative people producing great works of art for the wider world.”
Yusufdesi9n is impressed by how the Tezos ecosystem supports artists to share and grow together based on their experiences.
According to him, “the platform supports artists to share and grow together based on their experiences. It also provides collaboration opportunities between those new to NFTs and more experienced creators. My presence in this world is not because I walk alone, but because I meet other great artists and experience their spectacular works.”
Simboliatt’s hails from Denpasar and Lombok, and his abstract, tribally inspired works are fast gaining momentum on the Tezos blockchain’s NFT platform.
His works are inspired by his everyday musings, with designs depicting dragons, devils, gods, and mortals locked in struggles for the soul, and esoteric concepts such as the juxtaposition of hatred and kindness.
Simboliatt says that it’s important to keep your spirits high, and always face things – whether bad or good.
His message for the Indonesian creative community is to “keep the spirit, be confident, and not give up on their work.” The message is especially apt at a time when the NFT community in Indonesia is booming.
“The NFT art community is getting bigger and the Tezos ecosystem has created good times and opened opportunities for small artists and creators,” Simboliatt added.
Illustrator and 3D modeler Addien’s NFT art is a mash-up of anime and robotics. His inspiration, however, comes from a more traditional source – Jakarta and its rich tapestry of history, people, and culture.
“As the capital city of Indonesia, it’s easy for people from different regions to gather, adapt and evolve into something new,” he explains.
He also draws inspiration from concept artist Bryanlie, streetwear brand machine56, and Shotaro Ishinomori, a Japanese manga, anime and tokusatsu artist famous for Cyborg 009, Super Sentai and Kamen Rider.
Addien says that his Independence Day piece is about having freedom as a creator, and he wants to tell his audience to not be afraid – “just draw!”
He is also positive about the NFT ecosystem in Indonesia, citing its richness and uniqueness.
“The Tezos NFT movement is a sketchbook platform for creators that has provided a foundation for them to pour out their idealism,” he says.
Home for Jajang is Bantarbarang, a remote village and the birthplace of Indonesia’s national hero, General Sudirman.
Encouraged by teachers and family to explore his love of drawing, he studied fine arts in university. Now a successful creator in the Tezos ecosystem, he hopes to pass on his experience and inspire up-and-coming artists to do the same.
Jajang has created a piece of art that embodies the spirit of rising and fighting “like our heroes who fought for the unity of the Indonesia nation.”
He shared that he speaks through his art, and the Tezos blockchain has created a “solid NFT community” in Indonesia, which is still growing each day.
Also known as Mbrill, the anime and cartoon creator from Malang City in East Java says his work is partly inspired by childhood memories of Disney, Looney Tunes, and Tom and Jerry cartoons.
His early work was stylistically similar to The Simpsons and Futurama, but he gravitated to the rubber hose animation technique over time. The technique was pioneered in 1930s America, and is defined by curvy lines and classic Max Fleischer characters such as Felix the Cat and Betty Boop.
It is also the hallmark of the artist’s signature character, Boney. “He is a representation of my childhood. Boney loves to draw. So in all my work, he is always there,” he says.
For Independence Day, Lolmbrill created a piece that embodies the spirit of rising up and fighting, like the “heroes who fought for the unity of the Indonesian nation.”
“Merdeka! Like our Indonesian heroes who never gave up, we must be strong and better at all times,” he says.”
According to Mbrill, more Indonesian artists are exploring NFTs, with more and more fellow artists and communities supporting each other everyday.
“For me, Tezos is home because it’s where I started my NFT journey. I am happy to have made friends with artists and collectors from the Tezos ecosystem.”
Mukhlis grew up in the small village of KP Baru, in Indonesia’s Jambi province. He had little exposure to art, but has now become a rising star in the NFT community.
Mukhlis’ vibrant, kaleidoscopic pieces are inspired by cubist and surrealist artists, and Aliran, a Malaysian reform movement advocating for social justice.
Mukhlis shared that his Independence Day artwork aims to showcase respect for the Indonesian heroes.
On the topic of art and NFTs, Mukhlis says that the art world in Indonesia is fast-growing, and that the Tezos community is very helpful
“One of the main benefits I get from being part of this community is that I get to know artist friends from all over Indonesia.”
The origin of NXRMAL’s psychedelic artworks and animations are stories collected from a nomadic and difficult childhood.
Originally from Nepal, his education was limited due to finances and his mother’s death when he was young. Choosing to find inspiration in his life journey has empowered him to triumph over adversity through his art.
NXRMAL says that his Independence Day artwork was created to describe the passion burning in Indonesia, including how the nation struggled to achieve independence and face modernization.
“There is still a long way to go, but with a sense of difference, we are united. Don’t stop trying to get better. We must keep fighting.”
The artist said that the country now has many NFT artists and communities with their own styles and characteristics.
“They support each other in different ways. The Tezos ecosystem was the start of my NFT journey and their events introduced me to new people, creators, and collectors. It comes with a strong community and has paved the way for creators to thrive.”
Mamedz, aka Achmed Muhammad Jamal, is a Bandung-based illustrator whose designs draw from traditional Indonesian art.
He cites Ten Hundred, a Seattle-based painter, muralist and designer, as one of his key inspirations.
Mamedz wants to share via his artwork that unity is the key and “with trust and hope, we can all become something.”
When asked about the Indonesian NFT scene, he said that it is “absolutely amazing right now”.
“Thanks to the Tezos ecosystem and NFTs, I have been able to become something, and I can pay for medication for my son.”
Aphrodita is best known for her colorful craft creations. Born and raised in Rembang, a small town beyond the reach of technological advances and artistic trends, Aphrodita said that she was fortunate her parents exposed her to art.
But it wasn’t until studying arts and culture in Yogyakarta that she decided to fully immerse herself in the art world. “It strengthened my heart, and now it is my future,” she says.
Aphrodita wants to remind people of memories from their childhood.
“Childhood is the best time to be free and have fun. We make friends with anyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, caste. We all play together,” she said.
“For craftsmen like me, independence means being able to freely follow your heart. Everyone has their own life conditions and situations. Being able to work according to your passion is a privilege. That is independence.”
Aphrodita is proud that there are many Indonesian artists whose names and works are well known in the NFT world.
“I always thought living in a developing country would mean I was always behind in some ways, but that’s not how it is with NFTs. Not only is the work diverse, but so are the people. I have met many NFT artists with no previous art background and the family and friendships I have made are solid. We help and support each other through shilling spaces and posts, and use platforms such as Discord to share our NFT experience and knowledge.”
Little is known about the mysterious Akira – apart from the fact he hails from Surabaya, and he creates enigmatic dreamscape works he says are partly inspired by fellow Indonesian NFT creator BenangBaja.
His works convey the freedom of making art.
“If we stay free in making works of art we can advance the creative industry in Indonesia to the international scene.”
Furthermore, he added that artists in Indonesia are “creative fighters who have a fighting spirit to support other creative fighters in Indonesia.”
This speaks volumes about his thoughts on the NFT community in Indonesia, which Akira says is “great”.
“We help each other out and, together, we are getting bigger. I started on Tezos, and have learnt a lot about blockchain and NFTs from the Tezos art community. It is like home for me.”
Irham started sketching plants to help her mother recall their names and characteristics while working in her family’s garden nursery in her hometown of Purwokerto.
She fell in love with the intricate world of plants and bugs, and hopes one day to use her drawings to create a plants and bugs encyclopedia. She loves spending time in her garden and nature, and cites Alphonse Mucha’s timeless art nouveau as a work that inspires her time after time.
Irham has introduced the concept of kindness via her floral illustrations, with a touch of the nation’s colors of red and white.
Her inspiration is her mother, who always said that being kind does not have any requirements and everyone deserves it.
“I also want to say keep your chin up, soldier on, and the world’s weight will never put your knees to the ground.”
Irham says that the NFT community in Indonesia is really supportive.
“Even if there are ups and downs, people keep pushing each other. I can’t believe we have so many amazing artists in our beloved country. Tezos is quick to give us the latest NFT news, which is really informative and helpful.”
