Last week I had the honour of attending Mas Emte‘s new book launch. He invited me to the event himself—which was such a surprise. The book is called Life As I Know It, which is a loose sequel to his first art book Life As We Know It—published in 2023. The first time we met, Mas Emte spilled the tea that this sequel was in the works and I’ve been super excited for it ever since, but I never thought I would be invited to the book launch. You can watch my experience at the event here. Not only as a book launch, the event also served as an exhibition opening, as Mas Emte displays his original works from the book at Dialogue Artspace. That same weekend, I asked Agung to visit the exhibition with me, since we both admire Mas Emte’s works so much. So come with us!
Last week I had the honour of attending Mas Emte‘s new book launch. He invited me to the event himself—which was such a surprise. The book is called Life As I Know It, which is a loose sequel to his first art book Life As We Know It—published in 2023. The first time we met, Mas Emte spilled the tea that this sequel was in the works and I’ve been super excited for it ever since, but I never thought I would be invited to the book launch. You can watch my experience at the event here. Not only as a book launch, the event also served as an exhibition opening, as Mas Emte displays his original works from the book at Dialogue Artspace. That same weekend, I asked Agung to visit the exhibition with me, since we both admire Mas Emte’s works so much. So come with us!
📷 Fujifilm X-T100 with Fujinon Aspherical Superb EBC XC 15-45mm lens + iPhone 11 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm
The Joy of Loneliness
Before walking through the exhibition, let me tell you a little bit about the book itself—so that you may understand the exhibition’s theme better.
While the prequel Life As We Know It is a reflection of our lives before the pandemic hit, Life As I Know It is a more general tribute to the joy of being alone. Not necessarily in the grand sense of not being in a relationship, per se—although that seems to have been Mas Emte’s own experience with it—but also in the sense of enjoying one’s own company at any given time.
It is a theme that strikes a chord with me, since I do love spending time by myself A LOT. Even now, as I am in a happy relationship, I still love venturing on my own now and then.
The day Agung and I came to the exhibition, the first person we saw was Mas Emte (lol)—what a pleasant surprise! Agung finally met Mas Emte too, it was so beautiful. Since Mas Emte was obviously super occupied at the book launch, we didn’t get to talk at all. This time we spent hours talking about the book, art markets, and living in the city in general. It was so nice.
Mas Emte talked about how the exhibition came about—it was his ambition to also hold an exhibition as the book is launched. He wanted people to be able to enjoy the original illustrations and bring them home in the form of his book—which I find is a brilliant idea.
We also bonded a little bit over his trip to Brussels—a place I, too, have been, mind you.
Before walking through the exhibition, let me tell you a little bit about the book itself—so that you may understand the exhibition’s theme better.
While the prequel Life As We Know It is a reflection of our lives before the pandemic hit, Life As I Know It is a more general tribute to the joy of being alone. Not necessarily in the grand sense of not being in a relationship, per se—although that seems to have been Mas Emte’s own experience with it—but also in the sense of enjoying one’s own company at any given time.
It is a theme that strikes a chord with me, since I do love spending time by myself A LOT. Even now, as I am in a happy relationship, I still love venturing on my own now and then.
The day Agung and I came to the exhibition, the first person we saw was Mas Emte (lol)—what a pleasant surprise! Agung finally met Mas Emte too, it was so beautiful. Since Mas Emte was obviously super occupied at the book launch, we didn’t get to talk at all. This time we spent hours talking about the book, art markets, and living in the city in general. It was so nice.
Mas Emte talked about how the exhibition came about—it was his ambition to also hold an exhibition as the book is launched. He wanted people to be able to enjoy the original illustrations and bring them home in the form of his book—which I find is a brilliant idea.
We also bonded a little bit over his trip to Brussels—a place I, too, have been, mind you.
The exhibition consists of over 250 illustrations, each displayed in such a simple and classy way—some of them are framed, while the rest are taped with these cool neon tapes. The framed illustrations are up for sale—some of which, by the way, have sold on day one. It’s so insane! If you’re interested, just ask for the catalogue from the cashier. Everything is sectioned by activities—cycling, reading, cooking, traveling and many more—which are also colour coded by palette. They all come together so beautifully.
The main hall is made up of three walls where artworks are hung and a long table in the middle. Mas Emte told me that, initially, the table was meant to hold more illustrations that may not fit the surrounding walls. But his curator suggested more personal paraphernalia to be displayed, since this entire project is so personal—something that shows more of Mas Emte as a person. So now the table showcases Mas Emte’s journey as an artist—from his earliest projects to his latest ventures. It added more heart to the entire exhibition—and book too!
There is also a special section on the other side of the wall, fitted with a comfy couch and a TV that plays a video on loop. This room showcases illustrations of Mas Emte’s travels—one side of the wall displays separate illustration elements, while the other side shows them put together in neat layouts to encompass single cities encased in frames.
The TV keeps playing Mas Emte’s personal promotional video—separate from the videos initiated by the publisher. He told me he wanted to appeal to the audience through the theme of the book, not really hard-selling it but speaking more of the joy of being alone. There are more videos hat I can’t find on his instagram, so you better see it for yourself.
Personally, my favourite section is obviously the bookish one—although I do love the haircut section for the palette too.
There is also a special section on the other side of the wall, fitted with a comfy couch and a TV that plays a video on loop. This room showcases illustrations of Mas Emte’s travels—one side of the wall displays separate illustration elements, while the other side shows them put together in neat layouts to encompass single cities encased in frames.
The TV keeps playing Mas Emte’s personal promotional video—separate from the videos initiated by the publisher. He told me he wanted to appeal to the audience through the theme of the book, not really hard-selling it but speaking more of the joy of being alone. There are more videos hat I can’t find on his instagram, so you better see it for yourself.
Personally, my favourite section is obviously the bookish one—although I do love the haircut section for the palette too.
We're All Alone Together
Meeting Mas Emte and being friends with him was not in my 2024 bingo card, and being invited to his book launch was not in my 2025 bingo card—but all that just shows what kind of person Mas Emte is. It is undeniable how talented he is. Having built his career for 25 years, he has grown to be a globally acknowledged artist—pretty recently he’d exhibited his works at The Other Art Fair by Saatchi New York and even held a solo exhibition in Germany—yet somehow he always makes time to talk to people who admire his works. I think perhaps this is also one of his keys to success: being open to connect with people from all walks of life.
As I’ve mentioned earlier, Mas Emte have only ever met once—at Gramedia’s 50th anniversary event. We did talk at length and it was so insightful, but we haven’t seen each other since and rarely talked on social media. Yet, somehow, little old me got personally invited by him to his book launch—he remembers me?! That was pure insanity. And even on this day, we talked at great lengths and enjoyed a traditional dessert together—with Agung too, of course. That’s how friendly and welcoming Mas Emte is. And I think that’s what makes his works so beautiful.
Life As I Know It exhibition is available from 16 July to 17 August,
with little agendas in between. Come visit if you have the chance!
Meeting Mas Emte and being friends with him was not in my 2024 bingo card, and being invited to his book launch was not in my 2025 bingo card—but all that just shows what kind of person Mas Emte is. It is undeniable how talented he is. Having built his career for 25 years, he has grown to be a globally acknowledged artist—pretty recently he’d exhibited his works at The Other Art Fair by Saatchi New York and even held a solo exhibition in Germany—yet somehow he always makes time to talk to people who admire his works. I think perhaps this is also one of his keys to success: being open to connect with people from all walks of life.
As I’ve mentioned earlier, Mas Emte have only ever met once—at Gramedia’s 50th anniversary event. We did talk at length and it was so insightful, but we haven’t seen each other since and rarely talked on social media. Yet, somehow, little old me got personally invited by him to his book launch—he remembers me?! That was pure insanity. And even on this day, we talked at great lengths and enjoyed a traditional dessert together—with Agung too, of course. That’s how friendly and welcoming Mas Emte is. And I think that’s what makes his works so beautiful.
Life As I Know It exhibition is available from 16 July to 17 August,
with little agendas in between. Come visit if you have the chance!