[15][16] Pinurbo worked as the editor of Scholastic Script Bank[17] while volunteering in several private institutions and supporting the journal Poetry.

[3] Previously, he had published works in anthologies, including Tugu (1986), Tonggak (1987), Sembilu (1991), Ambang (1992), Mimbar Penyair Abad 21 (1996), and Utan Kayu Tafsir dalam Permainan (1998).

[22] The novelist Okky Madasari, for instance, reposted a poem that she had written for him in 2011, writing "farewell my teacher, my inspiration, my friend".

[20] Hasif Amini of Poetry International describes him as one of Indonesia's most widely read poets, with a "a refreshing mixture of narrative drive, irony, and self-reflexivity.

"[4] Pinurbo's editor, Mirna Yulistianti of the Kompas Gramedia Group, described him as one of contemporary Indonesia's best poets – alongside Sapardi Djoko Damono.

[23] Richard Oh, the founder of the Khatulistiwa Literary Award (Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa), described Pinurbo as "rare and unique in his simple language, yet characterized by a tongue-in-cheek wit and use of metaphors – clearly a departure from traditional poetry and a response to the frequently made international criticism that Indonesia's poetry lacks irony.

"[24] Likewise, Haris Firdaus and Angger Putranto of Kompas described Pinurbo as introducing extensive innovations to Indonesian literature.

He commonly used imagery that seemed cliche and was rarely found in Indonesia; for example, he frequently referenced everyday objects such as bags, mobile phones, and trousers in his work.

[23] Amini notes that Pinurbo extensively used juxtoposition, writing "reality and dream, the solemn and the comic, the lofty and the pedestrian may be found together in the same line, mentioned in the same breath ... religious imagery may appear alongside socio-political commentary or intimate conversations.

His works were published in various magazines and newspapers including: Horison, Basis, Kalam, Citra Yogya, Jurnal Puisi, Mutiara, Suara Pembaruan, Media Indonesia, Republika, Kompas, and Bernas.

His poems were also published in various anthologies, such as Tugu (1986), Tonggak (1987), Sembilu (1991), Ambang (1992), Mimbar Penyair Abad 21 (1996), and Utan Kayu Tafsir dalam Permainan (1998).

In 2002, the Lontar Foundation published Trouser Doll, a selection of Pinurbo's early works translated by Harry Aveling and Linda Owens.