Arkiv Vilmansa

Arkiv Vilmansa (born in 1979 in Bandung) is an Indonesian contemporary artist known for paintings populated by cartoon characters. He studied architecture at Universitas Katolik Parahyangan before turning to painting. He lives and works in Bandung.

His paintings are built on two-dimensional shapes, outlined with a thick contour and filled with bright colours. Toys, fashion, urban art and the cartoons of his childhood supply his motifs. His best-known character, Mickiv, is inspired by Mickey Mouse. He names Takashi Murakami and Nigo among his references. Since 2017, Arkiv Vilmansa has also explored abstract painting, attentive to the surface and texture of the canvas. He also makes sculptures and figurines.

The Japanese label A Bathing Ape (BAPE) has made him a long-term partner, the first Indonesian artist to hold that position. For the brand, he combines his characters Mickiv and Domma with its ape head and Baby Milo. He has also worked with Sesame Street, as well as IKEA and Volkswagen. In late 2024, his 30-metre inflatable whale Ragga was installed in Jimbaran, Bali. From 22 February to 11 May 2025, the National Gallery of Indonesia presented "Semesta Arkiv", his solo exhibition: more than a hundred works, from paintings to figurines, brought together by the curator Rizki A. Zaelani.