welcome

The fashion industry's impact on our world is staggering. It's not just about clothes—it’s about our environment and the people who make them. Every year, billions of new garments flood the market, leaving behind a trail of waste and exploitation.

As an artist, I refuse to contribute to this cycle. Instead, I find beauty in the discarded, breathing new life into fabrics forgotten by others. My materials come from thrift stores, neighbors, and even my home—every piece tells a story of resilience and renewal.

experience

For over twenty years, I've been immersed in visual art—photography, watercolor, and acrylic painting—alongside my architectural studies. My artistic journey began early when I won a photography competition in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, capturing the essence of its narrow alleys. Art and design became integral to everything I did, from project presentations to exhibitions documenting cultural heritage across Japanese cities like Kyoto and Osaka.

After my studies, I dove into socio-environmental work in Kampung Kali Code, Yogyakarta, which fostered a deep connection with community that still influences my work today. I continue creating artwork and photography projects, including my 2017 solo photography project "Sense of Place: Java," exploring Javanese culture, place, and the practice of batik and natural dye.

For the past seven years, I've been growing subtropical indigo plants in my garden, using them to connect myself with the land and with my hands to create things. In 2017, I learned that indigo is also profoundly rooted in Java, Indonesia, where I am from. I quickly dwelt on that fact and continue to be fascinated by the deep history of indigo—its interconnectedness among cultures worldwide, its colonial roots, and now, its power to build a new, conscious way of life where we also respect the land and the people who work to get it to us.

This passion led to incredible opportunities. Over the past three years, I've been invited to teach Javanese Batik workshops at the Indonesian Consulate of Chicago and the Asian American Cultural Resource Center at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Then, in 2024, I received a grant from the American Institute for Indonesian Studies and the LUCE Foundation to hold Indonesian Batik workshops. With the grant funding, I was able to host two full days of batik workshops in Cincinnati, along with discussions and exhibits.

As I navigate the intersection of art, community, and education, my journey is a testament to the transformative power of creativity in shaping narratives, fostering connections, and inspiring positive change through sustainable practices and respect for cultural traditions.