Greetings, today we have the pleasure of presenting an interview with talented Indonesian Artist Helbiyon whose haunting monochrome works explore the shadowy intersection of the personal and the spiritual. Rejecting affiliation with any religion or belief system, his art emerges as a kind of "spiritual residue"—raw, intimate, and ritualistic. Drawing from medieval iconography, esoterica, and surrealism, Helbiyon crafts visual confrontations that feel both sacred and unsettling. For him, Dark Art is not about glorifying darkness but creating a space where brutal honesty can exist without judgment or constraint. In this realm, he builds an inner world where ideas are allowed to bleed freely, unfiltered by doctrine or critique.
DA&C: Where did your journey as a creator begin, and how has your environment shaped your artistic voice over the years? Does your home of Bandung, Indonesia tie into your creation or start as an Artist?
I started drawing back in 2004 as a kid, deeply influenced by the world-building of Kazuki Takahashi. By 2009, I got into the underground music scene. I wore merch, most of them designed by my friend Gencuy. It wasn't just art, it was identity. Fast forward to 2017, I stumbled into a show by MFAXII and Maternal Disaster. That cracked something open in me. But the real turning point was during Pandemic in 2020, when I discovered Blialcabal. That was the first time I consciously felt infected by the art world—and decided I wanted to be part of it, fully.
Chasing Faith - Print On Dark Art & Craft
The transformation of an artist is often a story of layers, shedding and becoming. How would you describe your personal evolution into the artist you are today?
I honestly don’t know how to label my “style”—because it keeps shifting. Each day brings new insights, technical growth, even emotional reconfigurations. In the beginning, art was just my cheapest form of joy. But now, it’s a coded spiritual journal. A way to record my rawest truths and hide messages for my future self—or my grave. Maybe people will figure out what my "style" really was after I’m gone. Until then, I just keep grinding.
"A way to record my rawest truths and hide messages for my future self—or my grave. Maybe people will figure out what my "style" really was after I’m gone. Until then, I just keep grinding."
Extermination
When it comes to your creative process, what tools or mediums do you gravitate toward to bring your visions to life?
I don't marry any medium. Sometimes I use iPad and Procreate, other times I go full traditional—nib pens like Blue Pumpkin, Tachikawa, Bombay ink, Bristol paper. Depends on what the piece wants. Like choosing between a cappuccino and a slow V60 brew. The ritual is in the intent.
Process Shot
The arcane, the mystical, the macabre—do these themes play a role in your work? If so, how do they manifest in your creations?
My work doesn’t point to any religion or belief system. It’s more like a spiritual residue—personal, messy, sometimes sacred. All filtered through a monochrome lens. My pieces often feel like rituals or silent confrontations. Influences come from medieval visuals, esoterica, surrealism—anything that helps me be more brutally honest.
Chaos Knight Helbiyon Print Poster
From your perspective, how would you define the essence of Dark Art?
Dark Art, for me, is the safest place to be honest. It lets me build my own inner world, free from judgment, doctrine, or academic critique. It's not about darkness for the sake of it—it's about permission. A space to bleed ideas without filters.
"Dark Art, for me, is the safest place to be honest. It lets me build my own inner world, free from judgment, doctrine, or academic critique."
Many artists walk in the shadow of those who came before them. Which past masters—or even obscure figures—have left a ghostly imprint on your current artistic expression?
They don’t inspire me through their techniques or methods, but also in their attitude and mindset, which is something I've only recently discovered: Blialcabal, MFAXII, Beksiński, Samuel E. Thomas, Gencuy, Surya Mahdiana, Saprophial, Denis Forkas, José Gabriel Alegría Sabogal, J Meyers, Dávid Glomba, Aaron Horkey, Rokk of Sadistik Execution, Gustave Doré, Albrecht Dürer... and yeah, Kazuki Takahashi still haunts the edges.
Infernal Enigmatic
In the ever-shifting world of contemporary (Currently working artists) art, are there three fellow artists—past or present—whose work you feel deserves more attention, particularly within the darker realms?
Maybe I’m one of them, haha. But definitely: Lei-Iissa Celeste, Narsil—They all bring raw authenticity and powerful attitude to the table.
At Your Dying Faith Helbiyon Framed poster
For artists working with dark themes today, what wisdom would you offer to help guide their path if any?
You don’t need community, but it helps. What really matters is having fuel—why you keep grinding in a world flooded with fast content and AI. Communities like the Dark Art sphere help you see the line between lifeless and soulful, between sachet coffee and a good manual brew. That line? That’s where the real ones live.
Helbiyon in Indonesia
Do you believe in the importance of community within the Dark Art sphere? How does connection—or solitude—affect your practice?
I live between both. Sometimes solitude builds the piece. Sometimes connection saves it. But either way, I carry my practice like a secret ritual—shared only with those who feel before they judge.
"Communities like the Dark Art sphere help you see the line between lifeless and soulful, between sachet coffee and a good manual brew. That line? That’s where the real ones live."
The End.
Chasing Faith Helbiyon Framed Art Poster
