Media releases

The stories of Indonesian women and the complex issues surrounding their lives will be featured in a unique exhibition at Federation University’s Post Office Gallery in Ballarat. 

The exhibition, ‘Em I Body: Works by Indonesian Women Artists’ showcases the work of seven women who have lived or are living in Indonesia today. 

Presented in partnership with Project Eleven, a philanthropic initiative that supports the work of contemporary artists with a focus on cross-cultural collaborations, the exhibition showcases select work by Audya Amalia, Ayurika, Dita Gambiro, Erika Ernawan, I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih (Murni), Theresia Agustina Sitompul (Tere) and Restu Ratnaningtyas. 

Expressing ideas surrounding sexuality, identity, nostalgia and memory, the artists’ work is presented in diverse media including video, painting, printing as well as sculpture made from material imitating human hair.  

The exhibition reveals personal aspects of women’s daily lives, as well as broader issues surrounding femininity, nurturing and intimacy and unspoken truths about ongoing familial and societal pressures and expectations. 

‘Em I Body: Works by Indonesian Women Artists’ will be launched at the Post Office Gallery on Friday 9 September 2022 by Konfir Kabo, Founder, Project Eleven, at 6pm. 

The exhibition continues from Wednesday 14 September until Friday 21 October 2022.  

The Post Office Gallery is open Wednesday to Friday from 12pm to 5pm, and Tuesdays by appointment. 

For more information visit federation.edu.au/pogallery  

Quotes attributable to Post Office Gallery Curator Shelley Hinton 

“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.” 

“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.” 

 Quotes attributable to Project Eleven Founder Konfir Kabo 

“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.” 

“The works by Indonesian women artists in my collection are very special to me, they are very personal and confronting. They deal with everyday reality of cultural ‘norm’, religious construct, and family expectations.”