Indonesian life in the spotlight

INDONESIAN visual art is the star of the Federation University Post Office Gallery until mid-October.

Paintings, prints, sculptures, and videos by seven women who live, or have lived, in Indonesia are part of new exhibition Em I Body.

The show explores the themes of identity, femininity and sexuality, memories, nostalgia, societal and familial expectations.

“While there may appear a sense of universality and commonality in the ideas expressed by each artist in this exhibition, each work is as unique as the stories they tell as well as each woman’s personal response to social and political issues they encounter living in south-east Asia today,” said gallery curator Shelley Hinton.

“The exhibition not only reflects the high level of ability and creative skill of each artist but also indicates each woman’s strong sense of self, resilience and tenacity.”

Featured artists are Audya Amalia, Ayurika, Dita Gambiro, Erika Ernawan, I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih, Theresia Agustina Sitompul, and Restu Ratnaningtyas.

The exhibition has been supported by cross-cultural contemporary art philanthropy group Project Eleven, and founder Konfir Kabo said he treasures the work of Indonesian women creatives.

“I grew up in my mother’s hair salon, that only caters to women and is open to this day after more than 60 years, and my experience helped me appreciate some of the complex issues surrounding the women in Indonesia,” he said.

“The works by Indonesian women artists… are very personal and confronting. They deal with everyday reality of cultural norm, religious construct, and family expectations.”

Em I Body will be shown until Friday, 21 October. The Post Office Gallery is on the north-east corner of Sturt and Lydiard streets, and is open Wednesday to Friday, 12pm to 5pm, and on Tuesdays by appointment.