John Martono

Medium: Oil and embroidery on silk 
Size: 80 x 80 inches / 204 x 204 cm 

Artist Bio: John Martono is a contemporary Indonesian artist celebrated for his innovative fusion of oil painting and hand embroidery on silk. With a background in textile design and education, Martono brings together two worlds—fine art and craft—to create breathtaking, dreamlike abstracts that blur the boundaries between painting and textile art.

Working on silk as his canvas, Martono layers vibrant oil pigments with delicate, hand-stitched embroidery. The result is a mesmerizing harmony of color, texture, and movement. Each thread becomes a brushstroke, and each brushstroke becomes a thread, merging to form flowing compositions that feel alive with rhythm and emotion. His works embody both strength and softness—joyful swirls of color punctuated by intricate detail, giving every piece a sense of intimacy and grandeur.

Martono describes his art as a “journey of happiness,” where every stitch tells a story and every layer holds meaning. His works invite viewers to pause, reflect, and immerse themselves in an atmosphere of beauty, imagination, and serenity.