Artist Transforms Ancient Scroll Painting into a Feminist Perspective
In the vibrant tapestries and scrolls of Sasmita, a contemporary artist hailing from the enchanting island of Bali, a world unlike any other unfolds, one that defies conventional myths and tradition. This world is populated entirely by women, their serene visages adorned with the severed heads of warriors that sprout into trees or soar like birds, their strength echoing through every fibre of their being. Through the art of transformation and rebirth, Sasmita's strongest themes resonate - women's rebellion and metamorphosis.
Sasmita's exhibition titled, "Into Eternal Land," has found a home at London's Barbican. Divided into a prologue, three acts, and an epilogue, the exhibition makes clever use of its space, with Sasmita's painted scrolls stretching endlessly, drawing guests into a captivating journey that both honors and defies tradition.
During the exhibition's opening, Sasmita shared her thoughts, lamenting the way women are often portrayed in Indonesian literature and the ancient texts such as the Kama Sutra story and the Panji Tales. "By rewriting these myths and replacing every man with a woman, I am rethinking the stories that are being told," said the exhibition's curator, Lotte Johnson.
Art and Modern Storytelling
With Sasmita's fantastical images, modern ideals collide with the ancient Balinese symbols that she grew up embracing. Themes of ritual, heaven, and hell come alive in her new cast of characters, woven into her version of canonical legends and myths. These stories now feature representations of women's experiences, a refreshing deviation from traditional narratives.
Sasmita's artistic practice can be described as a modern reimagining of traditional Balinese Kamasan paintings, a style that has been a part of the island's culture since the 15th century. Originating from the village of Kamasan in East Bali, the Kamasan painting style has historically been male-dominated. Men chose the stories to be told and the way they were illustrated, with women's input limited to the choice and use of color.
Dr. Siobhan Campbell, a scholar of Indonesian art and textiles, shared her insights, explaining that the traditional division of labor in art practices across Indonesia has long been based on gender. Through her work in the Kamasan community, Campbell discovered that women's roles in the painting process have been historically silenced.
Challenging Traditional Norms
Embracing the ancient Objects of her heritage, Sasmita seeks to bridge the gap between the past and the present, blending her modern context with the historical. Her training under Hindu priestess and artist Mangku Muriati, who was among the few women renowned for inscribing her own stories onto Kamasan scrolls, inspired Sasmita to create her unique iconography of womanhood.
Reclaiming Balinese Art History
In her fight to reclaim and reshape Balinese art's history, Sasmita addresses the impact of the Dutch colonial occupation on Balinese culture and its artistic practices. Sasmita sees the violent Dutch colonization of 1908 as a turning point that transformed traditional Balinese practices into commodities to sell to tourists.
"It changed the mindset from art as devotion, art made by the community for devotion, into something individualistic," Sasmita shared. This shift, in turn, influenced the way future generations learned about art, with Western artists receiving more attention than traditional Balinese ones.
Despite the exhibition marking Sasmita's first solo show in the U.K., her focus remains on fostering artistic culture in Bali, where she dedicates her time to working closely with traditional communities. "I want our government to pay attention to the crafters and traditional artists. The way we inherit and maintain the knowledge is very strong," she said. "It is an essential national asset, and something incredibly beautiful."
- The exhibition of Sasmita's works, titled "Into Eternal Land," features her unique iconography, which includes the severed heads of warriors transforming into trees or birds, challenging traditional norms in Balinese art and iconography.
- In her modern reinterpretation of the Kamasan painting style, Sasmita's artistic practice reflects the ancient Balinese symbols she grew up with, while also challenging the historical gender divide in the art-making process.
- Through her art, Sasmita aims to rewrite traditional Balinese stories, like those found in the Kama Sutra and Panji Tales, and replace male characters with female ones, giving voice to women's experiences and reimagining Balinese art history.
