Artist in conversation: Salsa Nadhif
Salsa Nadhiff is a talented artist hailing from Indonesia. With her passion for abstract art, Salsa uses her paintings as a medium to express her innermost emotions and tap into the energy that surrounds both her and the universe. Salsa firmly believes in the transformative power of painting. She sees it as a profound tool for healing oneself and making a positive impact on the world. Through her vibrant and thought-provoking artwork, Salsa invites viewers to explore their own emotions and embark on an introspective journey.
Drawing inspiration from the depths of her soul, Salsa's abstract creations evoke a range of emotions and spark the imagination. Her artistic process is driven by a desire to connect with others and inspire them to see the beauty that lies within their own experiences. Salsa's work is not only visually captivating but also serves as a catalyst for personal growth and reflection. Her art has the power to transcend language barriers and touch the hearts of individuals from different walks of life.
What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
When I was a child, I used to make abstract art and were very expressive in it. Later in in life, I was taught that art has always to be realistic and that’s a better way to do it. So I became discouraged and kept my abstract art to myself. I tried painting in a more realistic manner but it didn’t turned out like how I wanted it to be. So I stopped making art. After a while, I reached the age of 20 and had one of the lowest point in my life. I was depressed and anxious. I went to the psychologist and my psychologist told me that she does art therapy for people. However she’s in a different city and art therapy is better done in-person than online (which is the mode that I used back then). So I thought, why not do art therapy by myself? So I started to pour my feelings and thoughts into the canvas without thinking whether it’s good or bad. It then unintentionally brings back my inner child’s love for painting to life.
What inspired me to become an artist is because art can bring healing for the person that done it. Art has been proven to improve someone’s mental health. It can also access someone’s deeper consciousness like desires, dreams, hopes and even fear. It shows us who we truly are. I develop my unique style by following my intuition and being true to myself. If I started to make it for someone else or making it beautiful and fits into certain standard, then I’m not being true to myself and that’s when my style isn’t me anymore. I also started posting my art to social media. At first I thought people would think it is ugly. But on the contrary, people find it cool and beautiful. It helps build a sense of confidence in me and my art.
In terms of subject matter, what themes or motifs do you frequently explore in your work, and what draws you to these topics?
The themes that I frequently explore is subconscious minds where our innermost feelings lies. I believe that we are all beautiful deep down inside. Even our fears and things that we deemed unworthy. By painting it, I want people to see that their essence is beautiful. I also paint people’s personalities and interpret it based on the colors and figures that I see. And I saw beautiful things in the paintings. This also bring healing to the person that is being drawn. I also see our essence resembles nature and the universe. It is diverse, sometimes chaotic, but if we pause and zoom out for a little bit, it is always beautiful.
I also sometimes feel that my paintings channel other multiverse. I feel war on the other universe and sometimes peace too. I’m not sure that multiverse actually exist or not, but from my painting, I feel that my other self from another multiverse is connecting with me. Maybe this is because we are all connected by love. And by painting, I’m doing things that I love and it connects me to the universe and other multiverses if that actually exist.
As an artist who focuses on abstract painting to express inner emotions and channel energy, could you elaborate on how you find inspiration from the universe and incorporate it into your artwork?
One of the biggest learning that I learn from painting is that you have to be in the moment, painting. If you think too much about the past or the future, you will miss the beauty in the here and now. That is why when I channel inner emotion and the energy of the universe, I focus on what makes me happy in the moment, what am I feeling in the moment and how the universe is sending me messages and artistic vision at the moment. This helps me to become more mindful too.
You mentioned that you believe painting can heal and contribute to making the world a better place. How do you envision your art achieving this impact, and what message or feelings do you hope viewers take away from your paintings?
I believe art can communicate what the creator is feeling and thinking. That is why when we see a painting, we feel new and strange feeling because I believe it’s a combination of our reaction and the message that the creator is giving from their art or painting. Even from abstract painting. Or I would dare to say, especially from abstract painting. This is because the message from abstract painting is deeper because it involves subconscious message of the creator and even universe – which is usually channeled during making art. It’s like the subconscious between the creator and the viewer understand each other through the art. The message in my art is that healing our pain, our emotional wound and trauma is possible and that I have walked it and it is possible too for you to heal your own wound. It can be through art, therapy, nature or any other modalities.
Can you discuss a specific piece or project that challenged you as an artist, and how you overcome those challenges?
The projects that challenged me as an artist is when someone commissioned me to paint their favorite shoes or clothes or bags or canvas. I have to balance between my taste and the client’s taste. I also wanted for this piece to bring healing for the user. And sometimes it can elicit some uncomfortable-ness in the user because when seeing the painting usually they see something in them that needs healing – which sometimes are painful and uncomfortable to deal. But I believe that it always starts that way – then it gets better and easier. It will usually leads to improved lives and wellbeing. Other challenge that I encounter is that I need to give a soul to my painting and art – and being mindful can sometimes stresses you out because you meet those parts of you that needs your attention and love.
How do you stay connected with other artists and keep up with new developments and trends in the art world?
I join online and offline community for artists. I also learn from senior artist to learn new things and take wisdom from them too. To keep with new developments and trend, I follow artists that resonated with my art, go to gallery, seeing TikToks and Instagram of other artists and also working with curators to see other’s perspectives.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
I think critics are really helpful and constructive. It also means that people pay attention to your art. How I incorporate it into my art is that I listen to it and improves my art so that me and my art can be better. The outside input are also good so that collective consciousness also plays a part in my art.
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
I have my own healing community named @rediscoveringyourself.co where I could inspire and be inspired by people that have the same vision and mission. I also like the idea of a community because I could give back to others and also receive inputs for my art and also how it can help heal people. I also overcome creative blocks by reading books, talking with other artists and friends and family and hear music.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
I’m very excited! It is my first time exhibiting my art outside of my country and the idea that I can share my art, ideas and healing to people on the other side of the globe is very interesting, exciting and appealing to me. I hope everything goes well and good feedbacks are given too!
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
I want to have a solo exhibition both nationally and internationally. I also wanted to make more impactful art that also inputs critics to society, promote healing and environmental activism and promotes the tapping of deeper consciousness. I wanted to give back more to the society too by charity and other social work. Last but not least, I wanted to make my own art shop. Hope it all come true! Godspeed!