Fahmi DNR

  This artwork was created as a visual response to the sensations that arise from a cup of coffee. To me, coffee is not merely a drink—it is an emotional trigger, a surge of energy, and sometimes even a small but delightful chaos. Through this painting, I attempt to capture an honest, fleeting moment: the shift in expression that occurs shortly after caffeine begins to take effect in the body. The main character’s face is depicted with an unusual expression: wide-open eyes, furrowed brows, and a pouting mouth—as if caught between surprise and excitement at the same time. This expression represents the “mixed feelings” I often experience after drinking coffee, especially when I am already tired or stressed. There is a kind of energy explosion whose direction is unpredictable—it can become productive, or turn into a creatively restless state. The character’s hair is drawn long and flowing, intertwined with patterns of coffee beans that appear to float and scatter in all directions....

  This artwork was created after I experienced a moment that deeply stayed with me. At that time, I was sitting in a small café, drawing on my tablet while enjoying a cup of coffee. The calm and warm atmosphere of the place supported my creative process. However, an incident at the table next to mine unexpectedly caught my attention and eventually became the main inspiration for this painting. At the large table sat five women who appeared very close to one another. Among them, one woman was crying. I observed how her four friends each played a role—one wiped away her tears, another gently patted her shoulder, one spoke softly to comfort her, and another offered her a cup of coffee. The atmosphere was sad, yet not long after, the woman who had been crying slowly began to smile. After sipping her coffee, they started joking, and laughter filled the space. That moment deeply touched me. I realized that true friends are not only present in moments of joy, but also become a place to...

  This painting is a visual expression of happiness, vitality, and the joy that radiates from the simple things around us. The primary inspiration for this artwork comes from a flower garden owned by a friend of the artist—a garden that not only exudes bright and soothing colors, but also reflects the cheerful and positive character of its owner. Through observation and emotional interaction with the garden, the artist presents flowers in an unconventional visual form. Rather than depicting them realistically, Fahmi DNR takes an intuitive approach, creating organic, curved shapes that resemble petals in her signature style: colorful, layered, and overlapping like a dance of hues across the canvas. The bright color palette used in this work—such as lemon yellow, soft pink, light blue, and hints of orange—not only represents the beauty of the flowers but also symbolizes positive emotions like energy, freedom, and joy. These colors seem to “bloom” alongside the viewer’s own energy, as...

This artwork depicts a personal experience shared by many—especially those who make coffee an essential part of their thinking and creative process. However, in Fahmi DNR’s hands, this experience is not conveyed literally; instead, it is translated into a colorful, symbolic, and expressive visual form. The main character in the painting is portrayed in a unique way, wearing a large coffee cup atop their head. This is not merely a decorative or playful element, but a metaphor for how coffee serves as a source of ideas and a surge of creativity in their mind. The cup symbolizes a brain filled with energy, imagination, and sudden, wild ideas—much like the effect coffee has on someone deeply engaged in thought. The restlessness conveyed in this work is not negative anxiety, but a form of creative unrest—a state in which the body cannot stay still because the mind is constantly moving, searching for ways to channel ideas. Drinking coffee triggers a psychological reaction that makes the art...

  This painting is a reflective work that explores a personal theme drawn from the artist’s own experiences in navigating routine and the demands of creativity. Inspired by everyday life, particularly during the intensive preparation for her fourth solo exhibition in 2023, this piece reflects the relationship between fatigue, perseverance, and the simple yet powerful boost provided by a cup of coffee. Visually, it depicts Fahmi DNR’s iconic character asleep atop a richly patterned background. Warm colors blend with her signature decorative elements, such as flowers and batik-inspired motifs, symbolizing nights filled with ideas and energy. The figure represents not only physical exhaustion but also the mental state of an artist on the edge, yet striving to remain productive and complete her work. A prominent cup of coffee, with steam rising like flowers or symbols of ideas, illustrates coffee’s role as a “rescuer of creativity.” Here, coffee is not merely a beverage but a transit...

The large scale of this painting immediately draws attention with Fahmi DNR’s signature character: a Javanese woman with an expressive, cartoon-like face, dressed in a kebaya, floating in the air alongside colorful balloons, a cup of coffee, coffee beans, and a thermos. The bright colors and playful visual style convey a mood of happiness, imagination, and hope. Symbolism and Imagination in Traditional Culture This painting is not merely a depiction of a Javanese woman brewing coffee; it is a visual metaphor for how tradition can be a source of joy and inner liberation. The kebaya worn by the character symbolizes cultural roots that ground us, yet her presence in the sky with vibrant balloons shows that tradition does not have to be limiting—it can be liberating, lifting the spirit as far as imagination can reach. The Meaning Behind Coffee and Flying Elements The cup of coffee in this painting is more than a beverage; it symbolizes passion, love, and warmth brewed from the heart. T...