Sin Sin Man
Artist and gallerist Sin Sin Man is the creative force behind Sin Sin Atelier and Sin Sin Fine Art. For the past 16 years she has specialized in featuring contemporary art from across Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Indonesian work. At the end of her first solo show in eight years, she tells Dan Creffield about striking out on her own and her philosophy of art.
I don’t really have a first memory of when I became aware that art meant something special to me, or I had any particular ability. I believe you are either born an artist or not.
Likewise, I’ve never really focused on or considered what art really is. It’s a force of nature; you feel it with your heart, with your soul.
When I was young we thought more, planned more—things didn’t come so easily. If you wanted something you had to work hard for it. Now everything is instant.
Back then, if you wanted something beautiful you had to create it yourself. So I did—I made my own fabrics and clothes.
In the early 80s I traveled in China. At that time there were no factories; it was a simpler, purer time. I visited Chaozhou and saw handicraft work there; it was very inspiring to experience that creativity.
The beauty of the country was also amazing and inspirational. Both natural elements such as mountains, lakes and fields, as well as the human influence, temples—even children playing games in the road.
