Nadja Adia

2003

Nadja Adia Saffa, originally from Surabaya and now in Jakarta, focuses on urban life and social issues in her art, influenced by her six years as a graphic designer. Her artistic inspirations include Juraj Florek, Bernadet Timko, and S. Sudjojono. She defines success as spiritual fulfillment and inspiring others. Art shifts her perspective, helping her value small, overlooked aspects of life. Currently studying printmaking, Nadja explores themes like Chinese-Indonesian culture and Indonesia's maritime issues. Her best work highlights these cultural dynamics. Despite challenges like art block and limited space, she stays motivated by studying other artists. Her dream is to have a solo exhibition or residency abroad. Her mother's advice, focusing on achievements over appearance, guides her.

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Interview with Nadja Adia

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

My name is Nadja Adia Saffa, and I am originally from Surabaya, Indonesia. However, I live in Jakarta, and this has affected my work in many ways. I often bring up topics that are non-cathartic and factual. Daily life in a big city and social issues are of particular interest to me. Contemporary realism and limited color palettes also appeal to me because of my background as a graphic designer in a large city for six years, which required making many technical decisions. Although my artworks don’t feature culturally specific visuals, I still address issues that are significant in the context of Indonesia's contemporary scene.

Who are your biggest artistic influences?

Juraj Florek, Bernadet Timko, S. Sudjojono, Zoey Frank, Flesh.png (anonymous on Instagram).

How do you define success as an artist?

Success, for me, is when we achieve spiritual and mental fulfillment. It’s also when our art has a significant impact on the art world, inspiring young artists to emerge.

How do you develop your art skills?

I visit galleries and art fairs to sharpen my artistic senses and to refine my understanding of the kind of art I resonate with, while also exploring new mediums beyond canvases and paper. I also do small training sessions with oil paints to study proportions, compositions, and color combinations.

Describe your dream project.

My dream project is to have a solo exhibition and perhaps a residency abroad.

What is the main inspiration behind your latest artwork?

I’m currently fascinated by fish and everything related to fisheries and maritime issues. I’m also continuing my exploration of the shop-owning culture among Chinese Indonesians.

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

The message I want to convey is that the small, often-overlooked aspects of life are just as significant as major events in the world. Marginalized communities, especially their everyday lives, deserve recognition.

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

I usually start by browsing through my phone’s photo gallery, which is my essential tool for capturing my “reality.” Based on Sudjojono’s definition of social realism, I present what is real to me. Therefore, my camera roll reflects my everyday life and serves as inspiration for my sketches. From there, I build a narrative around the chosen object. I follow my intuition and mood to guide the direction of my artwork. Sometimes, I browse Pinterest to curate ideas, so I don’t end up disliking my work. My techniques and medium aren’t particularly special, but I have recently started using neon colors for underpainting, which has produced great results.

How do you overcome challenges in creating art?

I often experience severe art blocks, losing motivation and sometimes forgetting how to paint or draw. To overcome this, I visit art exhibitions and look at the works of artists I admire to regain inspiration. Another challenge is the small space I have in my dormitory and apartment, but I’ve become accustomed to working in limited spaces.

As an artist, what is your favorite quote?

My favorite quote is from my mom: “Jadi seniman penampilannya nggak usah macem-macem, yang penting karyanya dan prestasinya top,” which means, "As an artist, your appearance doesn’t need to be flashy, what’s important is that your work and achievements are top-notch." These words have shaped who I am today.