About a week ago, a few final-year students from a university in Medan contacted me regarding their documentation project interviewing active Indonesian visual artist figures who continue to produce work intensely today. As a practitioner dedicated to Pop Surrealism art, I found their preparation to be very solid, especially their technical execution and proper interviewing approach. In terms of message delivery, this video serves as a communicative introduction that helps people understand my position in Medan contemporary art and the global fine art scene.
The audio is in Indonesian, so you can enable YouTube’s auto-translate option. However, you can also read the breakdown below:
While media selection is important, the primary focus for Hans Kristo lies in concepts, ideas, and the exploration of metaphors.
Every chosen medium must serve to reinforce the narrative of the artwork.
Identity: Hans Kristo is an Indonesian visual artist currently based and working in Medan. He has been fully committed to the fine art world since 2005.
Visual Style: Evolving from a foundation in classic surrealism, his style has developed into Pop Surrealism art today.
Early Interest: Having enjoyed making art and doodling since childhood, his serious passion for art emerged after moving to Bandung.
Key Influences: In Bandung, he actively attended art exhibitions and was inspired by prominent Indonesian artists such as Entang Wiharso, Heri Dono, and Agus Suwage. This inspired him to pursue a degree in Fine Art and Design.
Bandung Phase: Explored new media art forms, including installation art, performance art, and happening art.
Bali Phase (2008): Relocated to Bali in 2008, connecting with local artists and actively exhibiting. His work in Bali was strongly influenced by spirituality.
Return to Medan (2014): Decided to move back to Medan in 2014. Although not immediately connected with local artists at first, his creative process in Medan became highly intensive and productive.
Paper Mediums: In Medan, he works extensively on paper-based mediums. Key considerations include:
Pursuing spontaneity in his creative process.
Practicality (drawing from his Bandung experience of creating large, heavy works that were difficult to transport).
Exploratory Freedom: He maintains a versatile approach to mediums, moving seamlessly between different materials without limiting himself to one format.
Core Concept: Hans Kristo identified a common thread across his practice: an interest in contrast and paradox, which he calls the “middle ground.”
Romantic Grotesque Series:
Juxtaposes two seemingly contradictory elements: distorted or surreal forms (grotesque) combined with sweet sensibilities and warm color palettes (romantic), defining his signature Romantic Grotesque concept.
Features pop-culture icons and idioms whose forms have been deconstructed or altered.
Existential Inquiry & Archiving: Driven by a childhood curiosity about the meaning of life, he uses fine art as a vehicle for philosophical inquiry. Each period of his work is meticulously archived to summarize the evolution of his thoughts over time.
Scene Dynamics: While art discourse and critical dialogue in Medan contemporary art are still developing, he observes an enthusiastic movement and energy among local artists.
Creative Philosophy: For Hans Kristo, the most essential aspect is to keep creating as a means of self-expression. Exhibition spaces are a welcome bonus.
Hopes for more inclusive and alternative spaces for artists to exhibit their work.
Hopes the Medan art community can build greater solidarity, drawing inspiration from Yogyakarta and Bandung, where art shows occur in intimate spaces or alternative venues while actively attracting audiences into local neighborhoods.
Encourages local artists to be proactive in networking and sustaining their creative practices.
Below is the team behind this video documentation project:
This interview is part of a documentation project for an undergraduate final project at Universitas Potensi Utama.
Production Credits
Director: Simu Anugrah
[ https://www.instagram.com/mythhyyyy/ ]
Interviewer: Simu Anugrah
Director of Photography (DOP): M. Fajar Aditya
Camera Operators: Simu Anugrah, M. Fajar Aditya, Juanda Wahyu
Lighting: M. Fajar Anugrah
Offline Editor: Simu Anugrah
Online Editor: M. Fajar Aditya
Behind the Scenes: M. Dirza Andika, Ryan Pranawijaya
Academic Credits
Project Team: Simu Anugrah, Nur Sofianti
Advisor: M. Rusdi Tanjung, S.Kom., M.Ds.
Examiners: Rendy Prayogi, S.Kom., M.Ds. & Sri Wahyuni Panjaitan, S.Kom., M.Sn.
Institution: Universitas Potensi Utama
