Meet Indonesian illustrator, designer, and creative director, Martcellia Liunic.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi, my name is Martcellia Liunic. I’m an illustrator, designer, and creative director. I created an art label called ‘Liunic on Things’ in mid-2015. My illustration features playful and colourful animal characters mixed with human emotions. I like to portray honest feelings through comics too. I like to see and work on my illustrations on different mediums like installations, walls, shoes, fashion items, and won’t stop exploring various mediums.

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

I was born and live in Jakarta my whole life. It’s a love and hate relationship with Jakarta, to be honest. Living in Jakarta is not easy because it is not exactly liveable. We have this term #JakartaKeras in Indonesian that means Jakarta is a tough city. (Keras=Hard) We’re all living the Jak City hustle every day here in Jakarta. You can even see it in the people’s eyes when you see them down the street. People work hard here. A little fun fact: Jakartans do not walk on the streets. We take cars and motorbikes everywhere. Even for just a 5 mins walk to the nearest convenience store!

My illustration features playful and colourful animal characters mixed with human emotions. I like to portray honest feelings through comics too.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

The best thing about my city is people have their own hustle trying to make it here in this city. As you know, Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia. That means so many people from around Indonesia migrate here trying their luck. You can see them hustle literally down the street. There are so many hawkers, so many small businesses that open up near the neighbourhoods. Any kind of hustle, you can find it here. From fruit stalls to shoe repair they’re all accessible down the street in your neighbourhood. Oh and the food here is.. dope. So many good foods here, I’m telling you 🙂

The worst thing about this city is… it sometimes feels like hell here in Jakarta. From the never-ending traffic, the bad public transport, oh and don’t get me started with air pollution. We barely see blue skies here in Jakarta.. which inspires my colourful work! The whole city mood tone is dull and grey and that’s why I use so many colours in my works, to have my own eye-candy at least in this chaotic city. I have a dream to move from this city and live somewhere more liveable, maybe for studies or work…

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Competitive, Uninspiring yet Exciting

How did you start your career in art?

I first encountered art when I was a child through my grandpa who likes to draw caricatures. I often saw him draw and I usually drew beside him. Then I took a graphic design major in Lasalle College Jakarta but I dropped out because my dad was sick. I worked in an advertising agency Bates Chi & Partners and was not really practising art for a while until my second year in advertising as an art director. I started to draw again when I was 25 years old. I drew intensely every day after work and started to upload them on Instagram. But the kickstart of my career was when I registered for a local art market in mid-2015. People actually like my art, bought my art prints and art merch and I was kind of amazed… Then freelance jobs started to come and… That’s how I had the confidence of becoming a full-time illustrator.

The kickstart of my career was when I registered for a local art market in mid-2015. People actually like my art, bought my art prints and art merch and I was kind of amazed… Then freelance jobs started to come and… That’s how I had the confidence of becoming a full-time illustrator.

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

Yes, fortunately, my family is happy with my job and really supportive that I draw for a living. My husband and sister are also working in the creative industry as well.

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

I still have a lot of goals for my future work. My goal is for my brand Liunic on Things to be better. Also, this is my third year working full time as an illustrator and I hope I work more on my paintings and manual works, have my solo exhibition someday, and do a collab with Nike, Lazy Oaf, or Gucci! I like to put my illustrations on fashion items. Oh, maybe I wanna continue my studies too. I’m just gonna try to create good works and see what happens 🙂

I’m just gonna try to create good works and see what happens 🙂

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

If The Cure asks me to illustrate their merch or new cover album, I’d be so stoked. Oh and.. J.K Rowling! haha I’m a Potterhead.

How would you describe the women around you?

They’re all tough women. My Grandma is my idol. She’s so tough and her resilience is the best thing in my life. My Grandma will do anything for her family. Also, my mom is a single mother since my dad passed away in 2008. I cannot imagine how she raised two daughters since my dad passed. She’s one tough woman I guess it’s in the blood from my Grandmother. My sister is also tough as hell. She grew up without a dad figure from 14 years old. I’m the weakest compared to them! Love them all.

They’re all tough women.

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

Well, I consider my grandma as a creative because she’s a maker! She has this DIY spirit and loves to make everything from scratch.  I look up to her a lot. She cooks good food, she opened up a salon once, she was also a makeup artist too when she was young, and she sews all my dresses when I was a kid. She’s a creator and I learned from her.

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

I think I’m lucky enough not to experience some kind of discrimination in the industry (so far).  Maybe the challenge is going to be when female creatives start having kids and try to raise a family while being a creative all at once… but that happens in all industries, right?

Be true to your calling.

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

I think, be true to your calling. If you feel like you wanna be an illustrator, start practising no matter what your background is. If you feel you’re drawn to 3D animation, then go for it.

Practise makes perfect is soooo true. Nothing good comes easy. Surround yourself with like-minded people. Have a community where you can lift each other up. Share your work and be nice to people because the creative industry is a small industry.

Photos courtesy of Martcellia Liunic.