Interviewed by Blanca Babo
It is surely a trip to picture Illustrator and trench-coated fashionista, Monica Sutrisna’s artistic journey. The bona fide surrealism in her artwork that is presented to us by a use of vivid coloring and graphite pencils has us completely swooning and begging for more. Her self taught technique is a kaleidoscope of detail and movement that is both a combination of extreme authenticity and a subtle animation.
Lucky for us, this quite elusive artist had a moment to answer a few of our probing questions.
Firstly,
ISM: What brings fashion and art together for you?
Firstly, no, thank YOU. It’s a pleasure to be interviewed by IllSociety Magazine. Secondly, fashion is art. It’s expressive. It’s kind of like your own body is a canvas, you’re the artist and the clothes/accessories are your mediums. Yves Saint Laurent once told the press that he had been influenced by the palette of Botticelli, which is essentially how I feel about my own art where at times I get my inspiration from fashion. Fashion nowadays is all about art and culture. During the 1980’s Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto and Japanese label Comme des Garçons took clothing and the meaning of fashion to a whole new level. I was also influenced by Viktor & Rolf who started making their fashion shows look like art-installations.
ISM: Indonesia has had a big impact on you. Are there any other places you have been (or would like to go) that have inspired your work?
I went to Japan a few years ago and I have to say it’s one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The atmosphere’s out of this world…literally everywhere you go you see something that catches your eye. Apart from the cherry blossom trees and the blinding lights, I was inspired by the way people dressed, everyone dressed neatly and had trench coats on. At the time I didn’t know what a trench coat was until a Japanese girl working in GAP told us it was a “Torenchikōto”. They sold trench coats everywhere and I ended up buying one. This was the start of my passion for fashion which has influenced my style of art. If it wasn’t for my trip to Japan, my art wouldn’t be the same. My goal is to go to New York City as my next big trip.
ISM: What, would you say, is the most challenging thing you have encountered along your journey?
Hard question, I can’t think of one specific event that stands out the most. However I do have one challenge I encounter on a regular basis and that is having the urge to create an artwork that’s better than the last one I did.
ISM: Would you say your parents encouragement to pursue art impacted your life in a big way?
If my parents didn’t encourage me, I would’ve lacked creativity and I’d end up being a lifeless girl doing commerce or something totally unrelated to what I’m doing now. I probably wouldn’t be drawing today! They’ve always supported me in anything I was good in. When I wanted to be a tennis player – they told me I wasn’t as good as the others. When I wanted to be a plastic surgeon – they said I wasn’t good at science. When I wanted to be an architect – they said I wasn’t good at that either. But when it came to being an artist and a designer, they were behind me 100%.
ISM: How and where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Being the same person I was 10 years ago except slightly old and wrinkly. I see myself working in Burberry, designing a new line of trench coats, living in NYC, doing charity work, having my own exhibition, curating runways and owning a studio.
ISM: Are you seeing anyone?
Maybe.
ISM: Do you cook? If so, what is your favorite dish to make? If not, what is your favorite dish that you like to indulge in?
No I’m not a cook, I’m more of a baker. I love egg tarts (don’t know if you’d consider that a dish but it’s my favorite thing to eat!) I mostly like to indulge in Italian, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisines.
ISM: Do you have any rituals or routines when you’re working or even, in general?
As a Catholic I attend mass on a weekly basis. I’m not as devout as my parents, who often pray the rosary, but I do pray and I pray every night.
ISM: Hot tea or cold?
Hot! Unless it’s bubble tea then I prefer it cold.
ISM: What would you say to anyone aspiring to live and work creatively in today’s world?,/font>
“Set your own rules, live the life you want and change the world.”
Thank you.
-Blanca Babo
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