Heru Purwanto

1986

My name is Heru Purwanto and I am an artist from Klaten, Central Java, with a background from ISI Yogyakarta. Inspired by Naturalism, Surrealism, and artists like Rustamadji and Gm. Sidharta, my work reflects themes of family, hope, and community. For me, success means creating meaningful art that educates, inspires, and sustains my practice. My process draws from everyday life, refined through exploration, collaboration, and constant learning. My dream is to showcase impactful works in prestigious venues worldwide. “Life without art is like food without salt.”

Inquiry

get to know the artist

Interview with Heru Purwanto

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?

I am from Klaten, Central Java, and studied art at ISI Yogyakarta. My surroundings significantly influence my works, not only from the campus environment but also from where I lived. At that time, many paintings in my area were in the styles of Naturalism and Surrealism.

Who are your biggest artistic influences?

In my local community, there are two prominent artists, Rustamadji and Gm. Sidharta. These two figures were my initial influences.

How do you define success as an artist?

I believe an artist is successful when they create high-quality artworks that are free and independent, aligning with their ideas and concepts. These works should be appreciated, educate viewers, and possess market value, enabling the artist to sustain their practice.

How do you develop your art skills?

To develop my artistic skills, I actively interact with other artists. This often leads to forming groups or communities to organize art exhibitions, discussions, and other collaborative activities.

Describe your dream project.

My dream project is to create exceptional and phenomenal artworks that influence other art forms. These would be exhibited in the best venues worldwide in collaboration with top artists.

What is the main inspiration behind your latest artwork?

The inspiration behind my works comes from everyday social life, whether personal experiences, family, or the surrounding community.

Is there a specific theme or message that you want to convey through your artwork?

The core message in my work emphasizes family, togetherness, playfulness, hope, and aspirations.

How would you describe your creative process? Is there a special technique or medium that you use?

My creative process involves generating ideas or concepts, selecting materials and tools, deciding on a technique, sketching, and refining the painting to completion.

How do you overcome challenges in creating art?

To tackle challenges in art-making, I continually explore and improve my technical skills to ensure each piece is better than the last. I also read extensively on art and attend exhibitions to spark ideas for new works.

As an artist, what is your favorite quote?

"Art is a manifestation of beauty; life without art is like food without salt."