The Journey of a Life Fighter, from Behind the Palace Walls to the Edge of the Rice Fields

The PER-EMPU-an exhibition records the progress of women as fighters for life from time to time.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Visitors observe the Per-EMPU-An Painting Exhibition: A Warrior of a Life Full of Compassion: Bentara Budaya Collection which is part of Kartini Negeri: Indonesian Women Proud to Wear Cloth at the Bentara Budaya Art Gallery, 8th Floor of the Kompas Tower, Wednesday (24 /4/2024).

Kartini Day which is celebrated every April 21 has passed. However, the aura of resilience of Indonesian women is still maintained. The exhibition of paintings from the Bentara Budaya collection records the work of women as warriors of life from time to time, from behind palace walls to the edge of rice fields.

Women "take over" Bentara Budaya Art Gallery on the 8th Floor of the Kompas Tower, Jakarta, Wednesday (24/4/2024). A total of 56 works of fine art with a women's theme from the Bentara Budaya collection, from 1941 to 2019, are displayed in the Per-EMPU-an exhibition which will be held for the next three days (Saturday).

An exhibition was held to commemorate the spirit of Raden Ajeng Kartini's struggle. The exhibited paintings express the fighting spirit of women in various aspects of life and the many problems they face in every era.

"Every era has different problems. Those paintings express the role of women as fighters in life who are full of compassion," said exhibition curator Frans Sartono.

Also read: Women at the Heart of Growth

Since its creation, the painting titled "Putri Mangkunegara VII" by Soebanto has become the oldest. The oil paint on canvas painting was made in 1941. This painting depicts a woman folding her hands and placing them on her stomach.

There are no smiles on the faces of the princesses living in the palace. Their expressions tend to be gloomy, which invites various interpretations.

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Visitors observe the Per-EMPU-An Painting Exhibition: A Warrior of a Compassionate Life which is part of Kartini Negeri: Indonesian Women Proud to Wear Cloth at the Bentara Budaya Art Gallery, 8th Floor of the Kompas Tower, Wednesday (24/4/2024 ).

"Her gaze is not bright, as if she is holding onto something, even though she is a princess who lives in the palace environment with a comfortable life, but appears sad," he said.

On the other wall, a 102 x 70 centimeter painting by Sudarso is displayed. The painting titled "Rural Woman by the Rice Paddy" was created in 1980.

The painting depicts a barefoot woman sitting on a bamboo chair. A yellowing paddy field serves as the background of the painting.

The resilience of women is depicted in several paintings depicting various activities. For example, the painting "Gerobak Yogyakarta" by Batara Lubis portrays the figure of a woman in a market carrying a basket. This painting also depicts the instinct of mutual support among mothers in buying and selling activities.

Recognition of women's experiences and support for women's leadership.

Meanwhile, the painting "Ironing Rain in a Foreign Country" by Ouda Teda Ena (2004) depicts the poignant story of migrant workers who often suffer abuse in foreign countries. In their own country, they are idolized as foreign exchange heroes. However, in foreign countries, they suffer because their employers mistreat them.

A number of paintings also portray the role of women in the entertainment world. Treeda Mayrayanti's painting "Suasana Tayuban" represents the contribution of women as practitioners of traditional art. Depicted is a female dancer wearing a tight jarik cloth and kemben. Around her are crowds of male and female spectators.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Visitors observe the painting "Postcard" by Zaenal Arifin in the Per-EMPU-An Painting Exhibition: Fighters of a Life Full of Compassion: Bentara Budaya Collection which is part of Kartini Negeri: Indonesian Women Proud to Wear Cloth at Bentara Budaya Art Gallery, 8th Floor of Kompas Tower , Wednesday (24/4/2024).

Other paintings attempt to capture the reality of life. In the early 2000s, for example, there was a commotion with the emergence of a female singer known for her sensational dancing. She performed from village to village, moved to different regions, and was then pulled into the entertainment industry in big cities.

Pros and cons have emerged. There are those who criticize and those who admire. Zipit Supomo's painting "The Queen of Butts" captures the struggles of the life of the female singer who is admired by millions but also condemned by a group of people.

In addition to the art exhibition, there is also an exhibition of Indonesian textiles from the Komunitas Cinta Berkain Indonesia (KCBI) collection titled "Cerita Wastra Nusantara-Cerita Kainku". The exhibition, held in the multipurpose room of Bentara Budaya Jakarta, displays various traditional fabrics from various regions, such as Aceh, North Sumatra, Lampung, West Java, Central Java, DI Yogyakarta, and East Nusa Tenggara.

Also read: Art Documentation from Women's Hands

The exhibition was opened by the Chairwoman of the National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan), Andy Yentriyani. The Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (Kementerian PPPA), Titi Eko Rahayu, was also present at the exhibition's opening.

Andy stated that the exhibition is a combination of individual interpretations presented by the artists and the story of textiles presented. However, there is also a collective interpretation represented by the curator's narrative, linking individual interpretations as a statement of acknowledgement of women's experiences and support for women's leadership.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

The opening of "Kartini Negeri": Indonesian Women Proud of Wearing Traditional Fabric at Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Wednesday (24/4/2024). A series of events and exhibitions featuring various Indonesian women's stories, including the Nusantara Wastra Exhibition by the Indonesian Love of Fabric Community (KCBI) "Nusantara Fabric Stories-My Fabric Story", the Nusantara Fabric Bazaar, and the Per-EMPU-An Painting Exhibition: Compassionate Fighters of Life.

"Therefore, a shared understanding in commemorating Kartini Day is important to remind us of several tasks that need to be done together. This includes, through artistic and cultural expressions, exhibition activities that stimulate collaborative conversations for the advancement of women's rights," said the speaker.

General Manager of Bentara Budaya, Ilham Khoiri, stated that the theme "Per-empu-an" was chosen because it reflects the spirit of bringing women back to the forefront of the emancipation movement. In addition to paintings, there are also graphic works, puppets, glass, and ceramics. Each material presents visual excellence with a unique character.

"All of those works have one common thread, which is to depict the figure of women. Depicted from a broader perspective, ranging from women as mothers, women as beautiful girls, women as social beings, as fighters, and so on," he said.

Chairperson of KCBI, Sita Hanimastuty, said that Indonesia has a very diverse wealth of traditional fabrics. "Let's wear this traditional cloth. It can be worn as everyday clothes and for other activities. We are proud to wear domestically made fabric," she said.