Aurora Santika was born in Bogor, Indonesia, in 1996. As a child she found solace in books, movies, and recordings of musical dramas. This implanted her love for fictions, something that would become a cornerstone in her artistic practice. Her formal artistic training began in 2013 at the Fine Arts Department of Yogyakarta Indonesian Institute of the Arts. In her student days she was particularly drawn to Impressionist techniques, which profoundly shaped her approach to color composition. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2018.
Aurora has participated in multiple group shows and two solo exhibitions: "Breaking Through" (2018), curated by Suwarno Wisetrotomo, and "Dreamscape Anthology" (2023), presented by STEM Projects of Srisasanti Syndicate. She participated in the Vermont Studio Center artist residency in July-August 2024, supported by the Jon Imber Painting Fellowship. She is currently represented by White Space Art Asia.
Aurora Santika's distinctive visual language is shaped by a rich spectrum of visual, audiovisual, and literary references. Her foundational influence stems from artistic creations that are fantastical, ethereal, or dream-like, yet always maintain a structured narrative. Growing up, she was fascinated by the animated films of Studio Ghibli, known for their subtle storytelling, profound thematic depth, and intricately developed characters. Other key influences include the evocative imagery and narrative focus of Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood artworks and the timeless elegance and classic charm of vintage illustrations.
Her technique often emphasizes the use of light, nuanced color division, and striking contrast, cultivating a deliberate sense of dramatic impact. This is further informed by her understanding of Impressionism's distinct color breakdown, the dramatic lighting seen in the Romantic era of fine art, and the dynamic use of light and shadow in many Japanese manga, illustrations, and animations.
One crucial aspect of Aurora Santika's work is the impression of peering into another world. This effect places the observer as a passerby witnessing an ongoing situation within a fantasy realm that mirrors real life. The intricate blend of layered narrative and visual elements, often with compositions dense with objects, has organically led to a visual style akin to stained glass. This unique aesthetic is a subconscious result of her deliberate use of color divisions, heightened contrasts, and defining outlines and highlights.
Aurora draws inspiration from both her own life stories and those of others, viewing her artistic practice as a never-ending journey to understand life and a deeply personal way to communicate challenging subjects.
