Born in Bali, I Kadek Suardana “Kacor” pursued his childhood passion to become an artist by enrolling in the Art Institute of Yogyakarta. Slowly but surely he found his own character in painting. Involving only paper and duct tape in his painting process, he was able to create distinct yet exceptional pieces of artwork.
How did you begin your journey as an artist?
It begun when I was very young. Back then, when I was studying at elementary school, I just loved doodling around at school. I didn’t enjoy subjects like science. The only subject I was waiting for was drawing. When you see my elementary school textbook, you will see doodles everywhere. Call it anything you want; scenery, superheroes, cartoons, I drew it all. Although it was not as good as it is right now. Then, I decided to study art after I graduated junior high. I always knew that I wanted to make a living through drawing. Thus, I decided to continue my study at SMSR in Batubulan, Bali. After I graduated high school, I went to Jogjakarta and studied at ISI Jogjakarta (Indonesia Art Institute). I started studying in that university in 2009 and finished in 2014 and stayed at Jogjakarta until this present time.
Can you tell us more about your artwork?
If you see my artwork, you can probably tell that I don’t follow any genre. I just follow what my instinct tells me. However, this means I need time to get things done. I struggled for quite long until I found my technique and visual output like what I’ve got right now. As for my drawing method, I make cuttings from paper and duct tape. Then I create a pattern, after its all done I cut it with cutter knives. It usually takes me 2-3 days to finish a drawing.
What is the object of your artwork?
I love using nature and scenery as the subject of my drawings. I usually draw what I can find around me such as papaya and banana trees, cacti, and various plants. I also draw animals such as hens, pigs, dogs and cows. I draw all these because it is really near me and gives me a calming and comforting feeling.
What message do you want to convey to your audience?
Actually, there no such hidden message that my audience should find through my drawings. I just want my audience to enjoy the nature around me that I put into my drawings. To enjoy it by processing taste, mind and imagination, so as to bring forth nature with new dimensions and not reduce its aesthetic value and beauty. I want my audience to take care of nature by doing small things such as avoid littering and planting more trees, so that the nature remains beautiful and the earth will keep comfortable for our grandchildren to live in the future.
