Born in 1959 in Sarawak, Borneo, Chef de Mulu grew up surrounded by the mystique of the tropical rainforest and the vast expanse of the South China Sea. As the son of a shaman, his early life in the coastal town of Miri, near the Brunei border, was steeped in the natural beauty and spiritual traditions of his Iban heritage. The landscapes of his childhood—lush jungles teeming with life and the endless, shimmering sea—became the bedrock of his artistic inspiration.
The Iban tribe, to which Chef de Mulu belongs, is famed for its rich cultural history, once feared as the most formidable headhunters of Borneo. Spending significant time in the jungle with his relatives, Chef de Mulu was deeply influenced by the tribal rituals, the kaleidoscope of colors in nature, and the intricate balance of life within the rainforest. These early experiences instilled in him a profound connection to his environment, which continues to shape his creative expression.
Chef de Mulu’s work is a vibrant homage to the world he knows so intimately. His colorful oil paintings, often infused with elements of Expressionism, Primitivism, Symbolism, and Abstract Expressionism, capture the essence of his homeland. Through his art, he translates the spirit of Borneo—the dense, mysterious jungles, the vibrant wildlife, and the boundless sea—into powerful visual narratives. His paintings are not just depictions of nature but are imbued with the spiritual energy and cultural richness of the Iban people, offering a window into the soul of Borneo.
