Arifien Neif was born in Surabaya in 1955 and developed a passion for
drawing from a young age, despite his mother's disapproval. His
determination to pursue art grew stronger despite the restrictions, and he
practiced diligently during his teens.
He gained recognition through various awards during his school years,
though he was naturally shy and preferred to work under the pseudonym
NEIF, derived from his nickname FIEN. To further his art knowledge, he
observed classes at AKSERA (Surabaya Arts Academy) and listened to
discussions by the legendary painter Affandi in Jakarta.
Due to financial constraints, Arifien worked as a construction laborer to fund
his art supplies, using painting as a means to escape his hardships. He
values socializing with friends from diverse fields, drawing inspiration from
them, particularly in lines and colors from architect friends.
Arifien believes in the importance of cultural interaction and learning from
history. Influenced by artists like Picasso, Matisse, and Affandi, he
emphasizes staying true to oneself as a key aspect of being a genuine artist.