Suharmanto was raised in a non-art environment, his parents were only poor farmers. When he studied in elementary and secondary school, he felt that he could not escape from poverty. Then he got scholarship to study at SMSR Yogyakarta and continued his study at FSR ISI Yogyakarta.

His past life with poverty were reflected on his artworks which were full of social topics. Concept of this artist was division of two classes in daily life. He was an expert in picturing what he saw and felt in life which made his artworks like photo (he used photo technology in artworking).

His artworks were as follows Menanti Rejeki, Antara Umur dan Kasih Sayang, Perbedaan Nasib, Relax After Work and many more. There were several exhibitions such as Dialogue of Two Cities ISI-IKJ II at Purna Budaya, Pameran Pelukis Muda at Benteng Vredeburg Yogyakarta. Awards received were from PEKSIMINAS IV 1998, also the best painting on "Refleksi Zaman" HIMA FSR ISI Yogyakarta.