Ferdi Statement

Having grown up surrounded by 1990s manga culture and Hollywood films, I was captivated by the world of pin-up from an early age. I define “pin-up” as “a genre that uses visual storytelling to depict alluring characters who captivate the viewer’s heart.” It embodies a sense of playfulness, glamour, and sometimes a touch of mischievous charm, but its most essential quality lies in “stimulating the viewer’s imagination.”

However, this style—which values such “allure”—often clashed with the conservative culture of my home country. Growing up as a teenager in a media environment where such expressions were frequently censored or concealed, I began to feel hesitation and a sense of shame about openly expressing my love for this genre.As a result of this internal conflict between my desire to create and the rules imposed by those around me, I stepped away from pin-up art entirely and chose to move to Singapore in 2007 to study graphic design from the ground up.

A major turning point came in 2020 when I went to study in Japan.In Japan, people of all ages naturally embraced and enjoyed the beauty of pin-up art as “a captivating form of illustration.” That environment reawakened the passion that had long lain dormant within me—the desire to draw “charismatic characters”—which was the very reason I fell in love with drawing in the first place.

Inspired by this realization, I combined the modern expressive techniques I had cultivated through my studies and career as an illustrator with pin-up art, leading to the creation of the “Neo Pin-Up” series in 2023.For me, pin-up art is something entirely different from simply exposing skin or depicting subjects in an overtly provocative manner.This series is based on the belief that “the true charm of pin-up art lies in the supple silhouette of the human body, the atmosphere of the moment, and the subtle ambiance that conveys even the temperature and scent of the scene.”

In my solo exhibition, “Neo Pin-Up: Tokyo,” I present a new series of works that combine a modern, minimalist Japanese illustration style with the intricate patterns of Indonesian batik (traditional dyeing).This approach allows me to deepen my connection with Japanese illustration—which has had the greatest influence on my work—while simultaneously paying homage to the rich traditional culture of my homeland, Indonesia. Modern simplicity and traditional intricacy: I hope you’ll enjoy the exhibition and experience the unique charm born from this contrast.

■Event Overview
Artist: Ferdi
Exhibition Title: Neo Pin-Up: Tokyo
Dates: October 23, 2027 (Fri) – November 1(Sun)
Hours: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Venue: New Gallery | 1st Floor, mirio Jimbocho, 1-28-1 Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Organizer: New Gallery

■Ferdi Profile
Ferdi Trihadi is an illustrator based in Fukuoka. His work is characterized by a clean, minimalist style. Growing up in Indonesia in the 1990s, he was strongly influenced by manga and Hollywood movie posters, which led him to become fascinated with the “pin-up” style of illustration.After studying Image & Communication Design in Singapore, he earned a master’s degree in Design Strategy in Japan. He subsequently established the “Neo Pin-up” style that has become his signature.

This style, a modern reinterpretation of classic pin-up art from the 1940s and 1950s, blends minimalist Japanese illustration with contemporary lifestyles to create captivating characters through visual storytelling. For him, pin-up art is something that sparks the viewer’s imagination.He continues to create work that focuses on the supple beauty of the human body, the atmosphere that flows through a space, and the subtle ambience that resonates with the five senses.

Ferdi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ferditrihadi/