Sebelum Matahari Membayang

Sebelum Matahari Membayang draws from a memory of my father leaving home before sunrise to work as a street sweeper. His daily routine was simple and repetitive, yet it became one of the earliest forms of knowledge I received about work, responsibility, and perseverance.

The figure of my father carrying his broom represents a form of labor that is often overlooked, yet contributes quietly to the lives of many others. His work begins before the day is fully visible, suggesting that care and responsibility often take place before they are recognized.

For me, this memory is more than a recollection of my childhood. It represents an inherited practice, a way of living that continues to influence how I understand discipline, dignity, and the value of doing something consistently even when no one is watching.

In relation to Offering, the work considers memory itself as something that can be passed forward. I did not inherit my father’s profession, but I inherited the values embodied in his everyday practice. Through painting, I transform that memory into another form, allowing an ordinary act of labor to continue living as a story, a value, and a visual language for the next generation.