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Tapping into the unconscious: Riandy Karuniawan’s epic sci-fi illustrations
Combining his love for Japanese manga, surrealism and science fiction, Bandung-based artist Riandy Karuniawan has created a style of illustration that is both psychedelic and thought-provoking.
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His muse: Bandung-based Riandy Karuniawan has been into Japanese fantasy manga, surrealism and the psychology of human minds since high school. (Courtesy of Riandy Karuniawan) (Courtesy of Riandy Karuniawan/Courtesy of Riandy Karuniawan)
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ombining his love for Japanese manga, surrealism and science fiction, Bandung-based artist Riandy Karuniawan has created a style of illustration that is both psychedelic and thought-provoking.
Riandy does not like being the center of attention. Much like how Sathar — one character he created who later became a visual signature of his work — is only a part of the environment, Riandy uses his art to tackle universal themes: the human unconscious and the unknown.
Riandy’s sci-fi/fantasy landscapes can easily be found on the album covers and merchandise of Indonesian and global artists, from Bandung’s hard rockers The SIGIT to United States metalcore band Trivium.
Aceh-born Riandy moved to Bandung in West Java when he was 15. An avid fan of Japanese fantasy manga such as Dragon Ball, he has been into surrealism and the psychology of human minds since high school. He then discovered the work of Spanish avant-garde artist Salvador Dali, which inspired him to discover the foundation of his own style.
“Dali’s paintings deal with the psychological and the metaphysical, and that made me think: ‘Oh, I can express myself about the things I feel, and not just see?’” Riandy recounted. “Before, I was just copying from comic books, but then I dug deeper, and surrealism became the best medium for me to express myself.”
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