Nothing is more memorable than how bright the sun is that day. That was the month of July,
We were shooting ‘til 6PM and wondering “why it still so bright?”
Her sunset was beaming and she caught colors.
S: “My happiness is the freedom of being able to do things.” I found this statement from one of your interview in the past.
I’m aware that you’ve been doing a lot of thing, from practicing Balinese dance and also surfing.
How about satisfaction? What gives you satisfaction?
“Yes, I always say that the freedom to create is something that I cherish deeply. I think if you have a passion you should have a chance to pursue it. ”
“Satisfaction... it’s in the process. Of course the result—if you are happy with it then that grants you even more satisfaction. But,at the end of the day its about creating, creating, and creating—whatever it is. Failing and getting back up again. ”
S: What was your upbringing like?
SA: My parents were both artists. There was paint on walls, floors, clothes. The bamboo forest behind my house and the beach were my playground.
Top by Escalier Store, Shorts by Kanak Pants.
“I climbed trees and played in the little rivers beside the road—during those times it was still clean. I was lucky, I had the freedom to create and express myself from a very young age.”
S: Sal, your art universe includes painting, acting, and also RUANG. Where does your love of multi-media come from?
SD: Definitely from my parents and the environment I was brought up in.
“Again, referring to that freedom where I could try anything I wanted, with my own effort - knowing that it takes work and dedication.”
Dress by Escalier Store, Jewelries by RUANG.
“My father was a furniture, jewelry designer before he became a full time painter. My mother studied literature , made jewelry, clothes, and also painted. So, since a small age I was exposed to an environment where you can use anything to express yourself.”
S: Your painting subjects always have rather serious and somber expressions on their faces, though there are calmness and sort of quietness on them as well. I feel that there is an interesting tone to your kind of serenity, it has a lot to do with your choice of colors on their faces.
“I paint a lot of faces—non of them have a singular identity. In my mind, they are faces, identities, emotions from different beings—including myself. I often find fragments of other people in myself and I can find myself in others. ”
S: What did these subjects developed from?
And what emotions you’re trying to express?
SD: It's not so much about the subject or object…
“...it’s about a certain feeling emotion thought idea that I convey or try to understand myself using the choices of colors, strokes and lines.”
“Faces are what is familiar, my father used to draw portraits and I was exposed to it from an early age—it is familiar and comforting. The eyes say a lot about the inside state, I always draw starting with the eye.”
Dress by Escalier Store, Jewelries by RUANG.
S: How does it feel when revisiting to your older work? Both as an actress or painter.
SD: As an actress I find it harder to revisit my previous work. I am more critical of myself, I try not to watch anything I am in (more than once at the premier), it often brings my confidence down.
“As a painter I find that I am less critical. I don’t see it as a performance. Each of my previous pieces remind me of certain moments where I was vulnerable and honest about feelings and thoughts. ”
“In acting I’m portraying a different character so there is a sense of responsibility towards the character itself and the audience.”
S: What attracts you to acting?
SD: Escape at same time discovery.
“It’s almost like reading a book, your imagination and thoughts drift off to the scene in the book . ”
“With acting you drift off to a different life and character, those characters are within you but you need to be vulnerable and strong at the same time; to let them out, first you need to find them. ”
“It’s hard, it’s challenging and it’s tiring but it is also so fulfilling and exciting.”
Dress by Escalier Store, Jewelries by RUANG.