Born 23 January 1992, Setho Awan knew from a young age that he was destined for greater things. He did not let his birth determine his future! Studying arts at The Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta was his dream. But his parents didn’t approve of his choice, since ‘being an artist’ is not a real job for them. He ultimately chose to study design-visual communication at the school of fine art design. 

Awan currently works in Jogja as a graphic designer and to earn an extra income he also works as a woodcut print artist. His artist name ‘Setho Awan’ is derived from his real name Nur Seto Setiawan, a suitable name in direct connection with his artworks. Awan means cloud in Indonesian. It’s a simple name: everybody can look up to the white clouds and dream! 

Awan calls woodcut the ‘grandma of graphic design’ because, before the computer age, people used woodcuts instead of graphic design. He always wanted to practice woodcut because it is a unique art form. In the art world woodcut is often seen as a low art form, unfortunately not as real art. People often see it as activist art. With his artwork Awan just wants to prove the opposite, because actually woodcut printmaking is not easy, the process requires a lot of knowledge, it is drawing, then carving and printing. 

When he was a child, he once saw a bag with woodcut on it and became fascinated by it, it inspired him and he saw an opportunity to make woodcut books with needle and thread. He had never seen this before in Jogja, he had discovered a gap in the market. Initially, he learned the technique through Youtube. 

When making art, Awan is inspired by his immediate surroundings. Viewers like to be touched by the story. They like to imagine themselves in worlds and situations that challenge them, that allow them to do and be something other than what they do or are in their real lives. In 2015 Awan began devoting more attention to woodcut printing drawings and comic strips that focus on a diversity of themes like racism, violence, diversity issues, fishermen and daily life. You feel that this designer loves what he does and pays attention to even the smallest details. He is experienced and has a desire to make his clients happy. 

He has exhibited in galleries and museums in Solo, Salatiga, Semarang and other different cities in Java. Working with other artists is very motivating for him and that is why he is also a volunteer at Taring Padi. He has a lot of respect for Muhammed Ucap who is one of the founders of Taring Padi and who was also his informal teacher. (Read more about Taring Padi on p.8, Bongky) Awan has friends in Germany, Switzerland, Freiburg, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries. These friends sell their works of art in their country. when they are not sold, they bring them back. His art is also sold at SURVIVE! Garage.