Banis Combar

Banis Combar began his artistic journey in primary school, where his early drawings of cartoons and animal figures quickly set him apart. Known among classmates for his skill, he became the go-to student whenever a diagram was needed on the blackboard – moments that gave him an early sense of purpose and belonging. Though he never attended art school and once dreamed of becoming an engineer, Banis taught himself through constant practise, daily sketching and YouTube tutorials. Art became his refuge during boarding high school, where competition only strengthened his discipline and ambition. He began painting in 2018 after completing high school, guided and encouraged by his late brother-in-law, Larz Peter, who gifted him his first water colour set and painting materials and believed in his work when few others did. In college, financial challenges led him to sell his artworks to fund materials, a step that introduced him to diverse audiences and marked the beginning of his professional journey.