an illustration of a koi fish jumping from one side of a book page to another. both are in blue and the background is red

“Leap.” All images © Muhammad Fatchurofi, shared with permission

Semarang, Indonesia-based artist Muhammad Fatchurofi translates the dappled, grainy textures of the printing press into his vivid illustrations. Whether sketching on paper or digitally, Fatchurofi gravitates toward surreal, mind-bending scenes tinged with nostalgia that he renders in bright, bold shades of primary colors. In one work, a cairn sandwiches a seated green figure between the stones, while another features a red koi fish leaping from a rippling blue page. “For me, these basic colors give a sense of boldness, vibrant, full of energy,” he says.

Fatchurofi works with a long list of editorial and commercial clients, including The New York Times, Google, and Bandcamp, which he balances with personal projects. He likens his practice to journaling, explaining:

I’m interested in using illustration as a mindful way of documenting thoughts, interests, and experiences in my daily life. Within this practice, I try to reflect on my thoughts and experiences in a more positive outlook and to learn something from it. The result is often described by my audience as peaceful and calming.

Fatchurofi is currently working on a series of acrylic paintings he plans to exhibit later this year and adding more limited-edition prints to his shop. Follow his work on Instagram.

 

a green figure is sandwiched between a stack of stones in a body of water with a red backdrop

“Life is Hard”

two figurative silhouettes in blue with a white grid, facing each other, flowers growing from the figure on the left to the right with yellow butterflies on the left figure's head

“Tutur”

a flower grows from a slice of watermelon with flames near its base

“Seed”

a figure sleeps at the bottom, then crouches over a seedling, then stands among plants, and finally rises at the top to white flowers

“Daya”

stacks of thin masks of faces in blue, green, and red tower over a tiny red figure walking through them

“Archive”

a green figure fades to the left as it peers through the doorway to a blue world with similar figures doing the same

“Considerations”

A hummingbird with a beak in a red flower. it's body drips into a yellow puddle at the bottom of the composition that takes the shape of a figurative silhouette

“Dandhanggula”

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Primary Colors and Dappled Textures Give Muhammad Fatchurofi’s Illustrations a Trippy, Nostalgic Feel appeared first on Colossal.

©

Related Posts

A carved wooden vessel.A carved wooden vessel.
Supple Patterns Illuminate Bold Volumes in Oliver...
Detail of a vessel from the ‘Pathways’ series. All images...
Read more
a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables such as kale, beets, spinach, watermelon, bananas, and avocadosa variety of colorful fruits and vegetables such as kale, beets, spinach, watermelon, bananas, and avocados
Top Vegan Foods to Boost Testosterone Naturally
When it comes to testosterone, many people believe that a...
Read more
Interviews With Designers, Artists & Creatives 2018 Archive | YellowtraceInterviews With Designers, Artists & Creatives 2018 Archive | Yellowtrace
Interviews With Architects, Designers & Creatives |...
  Far out we have some clever people creating amazing things...
Read more
TeslaTesla
Tesla Scores Its Very Own Border Crossing...
Drive up to the Mexican side of the Columbia Solidarity...
Read more
Primary Colors and Dappled Textures Give Muhammad Fatchurofi’s Illustrations a Trippy, Nostalgic FeelPrimary Colors and Dappled Textures Give Muhammad Fatchurofi’s Illustrations a Trippy, Nostalgic Feel
Environmentally-Conscious Ways to Cool Your Home This...
It’s easy to see why eco-consciousness has caught on in...
Read more
Primary Colors and Dappled Textures Give Muhammad Fatchurofi’s Illustrations a Trippy, Nostalgic FeelPrimary Colors and Dappled Textures Give Muhammad Fatchurofi’s Illustrations a Trippy, Nostalgic Feel
The90Gem smart necklace tracks UV exposure in...
Wearables are targeting most of our burning health concerns, but...
Read more