In a world wired for constant connection, Indonesian illustrator Mohammad Taufiq—known as Emte—offers a quiet counterpoint. His latest book, Life As I Know It, invites readers to embrace solitude, not as absence but as presence. Launched on July 16, 2025, at dia.lo.gue gallery in Kemang, Jakarta, the book features over 250 watercolor illustrations drawn from his personal experience of living alone in a bustling city.
From Observation to Introspection
Unlike his previous book Life As We Know It (2023), which observed urban life from the outside, this new work draws us into Emte’s own world. Whether relaxing at home, dining solo, or attending concerts alone, these illustrations are more than visual records, they’re reflections on a growing phenomenon: living alone amid the crowd.
“Doing things alone isn’t strange or sad,” Emte says. “I enjoy every moment. When we’re comfortable with solitude, the presence of others becomes more meaningful.”
A Space to Engage
The exhibition runs until August 17 at dia.lo.gue, located on Jl. Kemang Selatan No.99A. It’s open Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 20:00, and weekends from 08:00 to 20:00. The launch event featured an artist talk and official opening, with workshops and talk shows offering visitors a chance to engage directly with Emte.
A self-taught artist with over 25 years of experience, Emte is known for his fluid, spontaneous watercolor style. His work has been exhibited internationally, and he’s published zines and graphic novels including Nyampah, Gugug!, and Life As We Know It. Through Life As I Know It, he shares slices of his life while exploring a theme increasingly relevant in urban settings: learning to live alone not as isolation, but as a path to peace and self-understanding.
