Discovering a Passion for Art
Yuni’s artistic journey began at a remarkably young age. "When I was three or four years old in kindergarten, I liked to draw," she recalls. For Yuni, who describes herself as "so quiet" and not very good at talking, art became a crucial outlet. "I couldn't express my thoughts with words," she explains, "so instead, I could express my feelings and my thoughts in a non-verbal way, like music and drawing." This early connection between art and expression has led to Yuni’s creative pursuit.
The World of Digital Art
Today, Yuni primarily creates digital art using an iPad or tablet. She focuses on two main types of digital paintings. The first one is “Song Image Paintings.” These unique pieces are inspired by music. "When I listen to a song," Yuni shares, "I just imagine what color or what motive I draw." The second type is “Normal Paintings.” These are visual expressions of ideas or things Yuni likes that originate directly from their imagination.
While Yuni has experience with traditional mediums like paint and color pencils, currently, she finds digital art more convenient and accessible. "I can make art whenever and wherever I want," she notes, highlighting the freedom and flexibility it offers.
Inspiration and Impact of COVID-19
When asked about her inspiration, Yuni emphasized personal experience, particularly her childhood struggles with verbal expression. This deep connection to her past is often reflected in her work. "My artwork is inspired by my experience, my childhood," she states.
Interestingly, the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in Yuni’s return to art and her embrace of digital mediums. After a break from drawing during elementary and junior high school, the pandemic lockdown provided the time and opportunity to reconnect with her passion. "I started drawing again," she says, finding a positive outcome in a challenging time.
Art as a Reflection of Identity
Yuni, originally from Japan, also shares how her cultural background influences their art. "Japan is a collectivist culture," she explains, "so I usually follow the rules and try to keep harmony with other people." This often means that she tends to hide her feelings or opinions in daily interactions. However, art provides a powerful counterpoint. "I can express my opinion and my feelings in the art world," she affirms. "Explaining all of my feelings is so difficult for me, but I can put all of them into my paintings." This results in artwork that Yuni describes as "messy and confusing... it is like in my head." She concludes, "If you want to know what I am thinking, we need to look at my paintings."
Aspirations: A Future Online Exhibition
Looking ahead, Yuni's primary goal as an artist is to continue creating for herself, but she is also considering a fascinating new venture: uploading her music and paintings to platforms, such as YouTube. This would create a unique "multimedia exhibition" online, allowing more people to experience their blended creative expressions. We are very excited to hear about this idea and hope that it will be available soon!
We are grateful to Yuni for sharing her journey and insights with us. Her dedication to art, unique creative process, and thoughtful approach to expression are truly inspiring. We wish her all the best in her future artistic endeavors!