The Soul-Nourishing Art of Nino Yuniardi's Abstract Paintings

Paige Simianer | April 25, 2023

Nino Yuniardi's art combines different ingredients to create delicious compositions.

Born and raised in Indonesia, Artwork Archive Featured Artist Nino Yuniardi's initial artmaking was inspired by Salvador Dalí, Mr. Tino Sidin (an Indonesian artist cartoonist), and design publications from around the world.

After moving to the United States to pursue his passion, Nino studied graphic design and art in Seattle and at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

His creative process is an introspective journey beginning with a question and evolving into a narrative. His paintings are abstractions of aspects of life. Using materials, colors, and textures in his work, Nino forms phrases and chapters that depict the journey of life, rather than just the ending.

Nino's love for food and his interest in visual language has led him to study color, texture, and forms inspired by ingredients. He arranges them as if they are different people and creates compositions that invoke contrast and harmony.

"It’s about taking a lighthearted approach to the injustice and pain when people treat those who are different than themselves. Food is life. Ingredients are people. We are all different, but we are also the same," Nino reflects.

Artwork Archive got the chance to chat with Nino Yuniardi about his creative process, growing up in Indonesia, and how Artwork Archive has been an integral part of his art career.

You can see more of his work on Discovery and learn more about his art practice below. 

Nino Yuniardi, 'Coffee Cream Cake With Marmalade', 24 x 48 x 1.5 in

Has your work changed over time—do you find yourself understanding your art career through different periods of expression? 

Painting is my way of understanding and processing my emotions and thoughts. It is a form of therapy that allows me to express myself and ultimately share my experiences.

While my creative process has remained consistent, my choice of medium has evolved over time. Initially, I worked with oil but later transitioned to acrylic. In addition, my subject matter has also shifted from realistic landscapes and flowers to more abstract expressions.


I view my artistic practice as a continuous journey of growth and evolution, where the process is just as important as the final product.

 

Can you walk us through the creative process you go through when you start with a piece?

To better understand my own emotions and thought processes in response to events and circumstances, I have developed a practice of asking myself questions.

This initial step helps me identify the underlying motivations behind my creative endeavors and allows me to clarify my purpose and intention.

When I have a clear sense of my "why," I am inspired to create, and the seeds of inspiration take root in my imagination. I find that the act of creating a story, particularly one that utilizes visual language and vocabulary, is an effective way for me to express my unique perspective and share my point of view with others.

By engaging in this process of self-reflection and creation, I am able to tap into my own creativity and contribute something meaningful to the world.

I believe that this practice of exploring our innermost thoughts and emotions is essential for personal growth and for developing a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.

 


How have your experiences growing up in Indonesia (and later Seattle) influenced your artwork?

Growing up as a minority can have a profound impact on an individual's life experiences and perspectives.

As a minority, I often found myself facing situations where I felt like an outsider, which shaped the way I saw the world. These experiences also impacted my emotional reactions to certain situations, often triggering feelings of frustration, anger, or sadness.

One significant experience that had a lasting impression on me was being bullied as a minority child. It was a difficult time that left me feeling isolated and struggling to fit in. However, it was during this period that I turned to art as a way to express myself and find solace. Art became my way of communicating my thoughts and emotions, and it allowed me to explore my creativity in a way that felt natural and fulfilling.

When I moved to Seattle, I was given the space and time to process these painful memories. The beauty of the natural surroundings and the contrasting weather patterns in Seattle vs. Indonesia provided me with a new perspective on my emotional responses. The gloomy weather and the stark contrast with Indonesia's sunny weather allowed me to slow down and reflect on my emotions, which helped me to better understand myself and grow both as a person and an artist.


Through my experiences, I have learned that art can be a powerful tool for self-expression, healing, and growth. It has allowed me to turn painful experiences into something beautiful and continues to be a source of strength and inspiration for me.

 

Can you elaborate more about how your love of food influences elements of your artwork? 


Food is an essential aspect of human life and has always fascinated me. It has the power to represent nourishment, pleasure, social connections, cultural identity, and values.

Food and people are deeply interconnected—bringing individuals together through shared meals, potluck gatherings, and celebrations. It fosters socializing and creates connections, acting as a medium for emotional expression, celebration of milestones, and marking significant events.

In my paintings, I utilize food to capture the joy and warmth of social interactions, the intimacy and comfort of shared meals, and the nostalgic sentiments and simple pleasures of life. The colors, shapes, and composition of my food-inspired essence serve as a medium to invite individuals to see themselves as an integral part of a larger community.

My art aims to create a sense of unity by showcasing the harmony of different ingredients coming together to create a delicious and cohesive whole.

Nino Yuniardi, Lemonade Vanilla Swirls, 10 x 10 x 0.75 in

Can you tell us more about the Spice Art Club and the mentorship program you founded in 2021? 

Ever since I was 14 years old, painting has been an integral part of my life. But as time passed, I began to notice a recurring pattern—my enthusiasm for painting would gradually dwindle, until I found myself struggling to even sit at my desk and pick up my brush. Eventually, I lost sight of why I started painting in the first place, and my creative drive began to falter.

It was then that I realized I needed a solid framework for creating art over the long term. Without a roadmap, it was easy to lose sight of my goals and become demotivated.

However, it took years of inconsistent practice and a lot of trial and error to finally discover a healthy pattern for creating art that took into account the importance of art practice for my mental and emotional well-being.

Now, armed with this newfound knowledge and experience, I am excited to share my practice with other artists. I strongly believe that happy artists lead to a happier world and that by helping others find their own path toward a sustainable and fulfilling creative practice, we can all benefit.

That's where Spice Art Club comes in. Our community is a safe space for artists of all backgrounds and skill levels to come together, learn, share, and grow. We foster an environment of support, encouragement, and collaboration, where everyone is welcome to pursue their passion for art and reach their full potential as creatives.

Nino Yuniardi's studio. Photo courtesy of the artist

What does success as an artist mean to you? 

Success is a highly personal concept that varies from person to person. It's important to view success through an individual lens and recognize that everyone's journey is unique. It's crucial to remind myself that comparing our success to others is futile.

As an artist, success for me means being able to regulate my needs, process my experiences, and share my art consistently for the long haul without burning out. It also means being able to provide for my family and give them the best possible experience.

Success as an artist is also the ability to inspire others to become the best version of themselves and to recognize that everyone has a space in the art world.

 

Why did you decide to use Artwork Archive to inventory/manage your artwork?

Artwork Archive is a user-friendly platform that is easy to navigate and understand. Its architecture feels intuitive and straightforward, making it simple to use for artists who may not have the time to tinker with technology.

One of the best features of Artwork Archive is its ability to help me easily catalog my collections. This means that I can organize my work in a way that makes sense to me, allowing for efficient management and retrieval of information.

Additionally, I can create Tear Sheets, which are useful for showcasing my work to potential buyers or galleries.

Another great thing is the ability to share new private collections with galleries. This can be a time-consuming and challenging task, but with the platform, it becomes simple and streamlined.

I can update the status of my work, such as when it is sold, loaned out, or on display.

The platform also allows for easy updates, so I can make changes to my collections as needed. This is particularly useful when I'm constantly creating new works or making changes to existing collections.

Overall, Artwork Archive is an excellent tool for those who want to manage their artwork in a way that is efficient, streamlined, and easy to use. Its features help me stay organized and focused on my paintings, rather than administrative tasks.

Nino Yuniardi, Sour Cream With Mint Yogurt, 36 x 18 x 1.5 in

How do you use Artwork Archive on a daily basis?

As an artist, my main priority is to paint, and I appreciate the fact that Artwork Archive helps me manage the business side of my art career with minimal effort.

By using the platform to manage my collections, update their status, and share them with galleries, I can save time and energy that would otherwise be spent on administrative tasks.

 

What advice would you give an emerging artist during this time?

Keep creating: The most important thing for any artist, whether established or emerging, is to keep creating. Even if you cannot sell your work or exhibit it in galleries right now, focus on honing your skills and creating new pieces. This will not only help you improve as an artist but will also help you stay motivated and inspired.

Build an online presence: With the rise of social media and e-commerce platforms, it's easier than ever for artists to showcase their work to a global audience. Use social media platforms like Instagram to share your artwork and build an online following. Also, consider building a website.

Learn about the business side of art: While creating art is essential, understanding the business side of the art industry is equally important. Learn about pricing, marketing, and promotion strategies. This will help you navigate the art world more effectively and make the most of the opportunities that come your way.

Stay positive: The art industry can be challenging, and success often takes time. Stay positive and persistent, and remember that rejection is part of the process. Keep creating, focus on your goals, and be open to new opportunities. You can achieve your goals with hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude.

Nino Yuniardi, Spinach Jelly With Pink Lemonade, 36 x 36 x 1.5 in

Nino Yuniardi uses Artwork Archive to inventory his artwork, organize his pieces into collections, and present work to his clients professionally. 

You can make an online portfolio, catalog your artwork, and generate reports like inventory reports, tear sheets, and invoices in seconds with Artwork Archive. Take a look at Artwork Archive's free trial and start growing your art business. 

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