Sunar Sugiyou – Artist, Ming Liu Art

Sunar Sugiyou utilises a wide variety of media, including acrylic, mixed media collage and assemblage, but is best known for his Chinese ink painting of streetscapes and nature.

Trained in graphic design at St Patrick’s Art Centre (now known as LaSalle College of the Arts) from 1985-1987, Sunar continued to pursue his childhood interest in art by drawing and painting even as he began his career in graphic and interior design, before becoming a full-time artist in 2007.

He credits Iskandar Jalil and the late Jaafar Latiff as his mentors, not in artistic methodologies per se, but in sharing lessons on life experiences as artists. Apart from his mentors, Sunar’s works were influenced by artists such as Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin, as well as Indonesian masters like Hendra Gunawan and Affandi, who inspired the Javanese colours of orange, yellow and ochre in Sunar’s early works.

Art Journey

Sunar’s works express various aspects of his identity and heritage, in terms of his philosophies, cultural roots and love for tradition.

Most of his works are based either on historical references or symbolically reflect his religious beliefs even if they are not overtly spiritual.

One of his main beliefs is how harmony and balance in nature come in pairs – yin and yang, good and evil, black and white, birth and death.

The cycle of life ultimately returns us to the cosmos and renders all equal – an eventuality that, for the artist, calls for understanding and peace in this world. It is with this philosophy that the artist hopes we can live life with heart and beauty, to create a ”masterpiece “ we can be proud of.

Sunar Sugiyou – Artworks

PASANG KAKI KUDA2 (ON GUARD)

MEDIUM: MIXED MEDIA
SIZE: 159 x 180cm
YEAR: 2013