ASYIK CASULA, 2019

Coordinated by Alfira O’Sullivan and Ida Lawrence

Presented by Woven Kolektif, Suara Indonesia Dance and Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre as a public program for the looking here looking north exhibition

Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, 10 February 2019

ASYIK CASULA: Indonesian Cultural Day was an asyik day of activities for all ages (asyik meaning “fun!” and “enjoy!” in Indonesian slang). The day included art workshops, dance and body percussion workshops with Suara Indonesia Dance, performances by Sydney’s Indonesian community, and artist talks with Woven Kolektif. Documentation of the day’s activities below:

About Batik Workshop

Facilitated by Ida Lawrence from Woven Kolektif

Inspired by traditional Indonesian batik motifs, symbols, patterns and resist processes, participants created their own textile design of personal significance, using alternative resist and colouring techniques, and based on a story from their weekend or the summer holidays.

Ida Lawrence - About Batik 2019 example.JPG

My example design, allegedly based on a story from my summer holidays: I went to the beach with my friend. The seagulls stole our chips, our two ice creams melted all over us, but we swam with a pod of eight dolphins! (There is a lot of green because it was a lot of pistachio and choc-mint ice cream that melted on us!)

Images care of Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre. Photography by Chantel Bann

Works in progress. Photography by Ida Lawrence

A design based on a story about going to Canberra

Work in progress by Ella about going to the beach – there were blue bottles everywhere!

Frances’ design

Jan’s design. Photography by Alexandra Spence

Peacock design

Ashika’s design inspired by the time her cousins visited and they played in the pool. The biggest ripple motif is the splash her brother made

Dharshi’s design based on the happy times when her family get together and eat cakes. James’ design based on hot summer days

Alexandra’s design based on her cat Momo’s busy schedule. Photography by the artist

Puppet Making Workshop

Facilitated by Sofiyah Ruqayah and Bridie Gillman from Woven Kolektif

Participants made paper puppets of Indonesian and Australian animals, drawing inspiration from traditional puppets called wayang. Some participants made wild new creatures, combining features of Indonesian and Australian animals.

Images care of Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre. Photography by Chantel Bann

Siti Suharti Performance

Classic keroncong songs performed by Siti Suharti, Kartika Suharto-Martin’s Javanese folk-pop singer alter-ego, and accompanied by Suharto – an extension of Kartika Suharto-Martin’s video installation exhibited in looking here looking north.

Siti Suharti and Suharto in front of Bridie Gillman’s video projection BALI STATE OF MIND 2017-2018. Images care of Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre. Photography by Chantel Bann

Woven Kolektif Artist Talks

as part of the exhibition looking here looking north. Facilitated by Jenny Cheeseman, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre Head of Curatorial.

Bridie Gillman, Sofiyah Ruqayah, Ida Lawrence, Kartika Suharto-Martin and Alfira O’Sullivan (Mashara Wachjudy and Leyla Stevens absent). Images care of Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre. Photography by Chantel Bann