Something really special happened this past weekend and it feels absolutely surreal. You probably know that I’ve gone to countless exhibitions my whole life, but I’d never thought I’d see the day when it was my work that would get exhibited. And that is exactly what happened last weekend. Say hello to Uncorrupt Fest 2022—an event to commemorate World Anticorruption Day with Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) as well as USAID Indonesia! Oh my God, it still feels unreal that I had the opportunity to collaborate with such a well-known institution, creating a meaningful work and showcasing it for everyone to see—people I know and people I don’t know!
What makes it even more special is that today marks my 3rd anniversary with Agung, and I’m so glad he got to see this amazing thing together with me. If you’ll allow me, I’d like to talk about that a little here too.
Something really special happened this past weekend and it feels absolutely surreal. You probably know that I’ve gone to countless exhibitions my whole life, but I’d never thought I’d see the day when it was my work that would get exhibited. And that is exactly what happened last weekend. Say hello to Uncorrupt Fest 2022—an event to commemorate World Anticorruption Day with Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) as well as USAID Indonesia! Oh my God, it still feels unreal that I had the opportunity to collaborate with such a well-known institution, creating a meaningful work and showcasing it for everyone to see—people I know and people I don’t know!
What makes it even more special is that today marks my 3rd anniversary with Agung, and I’m so glad he got to see this amazing thing together with me. If you’ll allow me, I’d like to talk about that a little here too.
Lending a Voice for Change
Let’s rewind all the way back to August! One day someone from ICW contacted me out of the blue, asking me to collaborate with them as a comic artist. It felt absolutely surreal, because I had only recently started actively drawing and posting comic strips of my life in quarantine when I got Covid. After further discussion and a quick contemplation, I accepted the offer.
A month later in mid-September, they flew me and two other comic artists—Adel or Maghfirare and Nadiyah Suyatna—out of Java to discuss active cases with their partner NGOs and do a field observation to be extracted into a story for our comic strips.
From the plethora of cases being discussed, we each somehow decided on three separate cases from three different locations. The case that piqued my interest involved indigenous people, which is so close to my heart. We had to take a 7-hour trip by car to reach their village, but it was all very much worth it.
It is a land dispute conflict involving their customary territory and a plantation company. The crazy thing is that the conflict has been going on for over 100 years, going way, way back to the colonial era. We went there to interview the locals—and tribal chief—about the latest update on the matter, as well as to gather visuals of their life and culture for reference.
Let’s rewind all the way back to August! One day someone from ICW contacted me out of the blue, asking me to collaborate with them as a comic artist. It felt absolutely surreal, because I had only recently started actively drawing and posting comic strips of my life in quarantine when I got Covid. After further discussion and a quick contemplation, I accepted the offer.
A month later in mid-September, they flew me and two other comic artists—Adel or Maghfirare and Nadiyah Suyatna—out of Java to discuss active cases with their partner NGOs and do a field observation to be extracted into a story for our comic strips.
From the plethora of cases being discussed, we each somehow decided on three separate cases from three different locations. The case that piqued my interest involved indigenous people, which is so close to my heart. We had to take a 7-hour trip by car to reach their village, but it was all very much worth it.
It is a land dispute conflict involving their customary territory and a plantation company. The crazy thing is that the conflict has been going on for over 100 years, going way, way back to the colonial era. We went there to interview the locals—and tribal chief—about the latest update on the matter, as well as to gather visuals of their life and culture for reference.
I was asked this a lot during the exhibition, so I’ll just tell you now. The most interesting part of the whole process for me is the fact that we weren’t allowed to take photos or videos inside the village. So all that visual reference I was talking about, I had to sketch them all by hand as I saw them—and quickly too, because the people were always on the move. While it could pose to be a challenge, I honestly found it really, really fun. I had never had to do that before, so it was an entirely new experience for me and I seem to manage just fine. The visuals I can probably transfer and share with the audience through my work, but the feeling of being in that village—now that is something I cannot forget and also will not be able to replicate.
It was a thoroughly fun experience for all of us, if I may say so myself, but it was only after we landed back in Jakarta did things start to actually take off. Needless to say, we hit the ground running. There were a lot of focus group discussion sessions—as they call it—up until a day before my birthday. We discussed the story first, moving on to the sketch and character design and ending in finalisation. If I were being honest, this part of the process was absolutely harrowing. The deadlines always felt so close together, we would pull all-nighters as we approached them. When we finally finished, however, it was the most relieved and proudest I have ever felt.
Before we knew it, it was finally time for the event to happen. It took place at Kala di Kalijaga on 9-11 December 2022, consisting of an exhibition, live music, standup comedy and talkshows. The exhibition itself is divided into three parts—our comic strips, an educational section and an interactive campaign section. Adel, Nadiyah and I got a whole room to ourselves. Adel’s comic strip touches on public service, while Nadiyah’s comic touches on conflict of interests. All three of us were also given the honour to do a talkshow on the first day of the event. Honestly, there are so many stories I wish I could tell you all, but it’ll be too long for this post.
Hand-me-down shirt // old dress + boots // vintage purse // Noesa headband // Mount Island mask //
photos of me by Agung + Mima
I was asked this a lot during the exhibition, so I’ll just tell you now. The most interesting part of the whole process for me is the fact that we weren’t allowed to take photos or videos inside the village. So all that visual reference I was talking about, I had to sketch them all by hand as I saw them—and quickly too, because the people were always on the move. While it could pose to be a challenge, I honestly found it really, really fun. I had never had to do that before, so it was an entirely new experience for me and I seem to manage just fine. The visuals I can probably transfer and share with the audience through my work, but the feeling of being in that village—now that is something I cannot forget and also will not be able to replicate.
It was a thoroughly fun experience for all of us, if I may say so myself, but it was only after we landed back in Jakarta did things start to actually take off. Needless to say, we hit the ground running. There were a lot of focus group discussion sessions—as they call it—up until a day before my birthday. We discussed the story first, moving on to the sketch and character design and ending in finalisation. If I were being honest, this part of the process was absolutely harrowing. The deadlines always felt so close together, we would pull all-nighters as we approached them. When we finally finished, however, it was the most relieved and proudest I have ever felt.
Before we knew it, it was finally time for the event to happen. It took place at Kala di Kalijaga on 9-11 December 2022, consisting of an exhibition, live music, standup comedy and talkshows. The exhibition itself is divided into three parts—our comic strips, an educational section and an interactive campaign section. Adel, Nadiyah and I got a whole room to ourselves. Adel’s comic strip touches on public service, while Nadiyah’s comic touches on conflict of interests. All three of us were also given the honour to do a talkshow on the first day of the event. Honestly, there are so many stories I wish I could tell you all, but it’ll be too long for this post.
Hand-me-down shirt // old dress + boots // vintage purse // Noesa headband // Mount Island mask //
photos of me by Agung + Mima
All I've Ever Wanted Is Here
I know I’m not an easy person to be around, deal with or like. Ask anyone and they will confirm for you in a heartbeat. I also know that I constantly test your patience—which is why I’m extra grateful for your relentless presence in my life. There was a time when neither of us could imagine being who we are for each other now. I don’t know about you, but now I cannot imagine not having you in my life the way you have been for the past 3 years.
You are a truly invaluable part of my life in ways you can’t even imagine. My only hope is that I have provided you with as much solace, support and inspiration as you have for me.
I’m not perfect and neither are you, but I’d rather be imperfect with you than perfect anywhere else. So please stay in my life for always.
The reason I’m posting this not on a weekend, but on a Tuesday, is simply because today marks my third anniversary of being with Agung. I cannot believe we’ve been together for that long, but also feels like I’ve known him my whole life. On this special day, although for only a little bit, I’d like to dedicate this post for him. God only knows where I would be without his constant support and patience.
Before I met you—before we embarked on this journey together—I’d never imagined having someone who is as excited about my achievements as I am. For a long time I believed my passion and fire was a burden to all…but then you showed up with that same sparkle in your eyes as I have in mine. And I haven’t been able to look away since.
The reason I’m posting this not on a weekend, but on a Tuesday, is simply because today marks my third anniversary of being with Agung. I cannot believe we’ve been together for that long, but also feels like I’ve known him my whole life. On this special day, although for only a little bit, I’d like to dedicate this post for him. God only knows where I would be without his constant support and patience.
Before I met you—before we embarked on this journey together—I’d never imagined having someone who is as excited about my achievements as I am. For a long time I believed my passion and fire was a burden to all…but then you showed up with that same sparkle in your eyes as I have in mine. And I haven’t been able to look away since.
I know I’m not an easy person to be around, deal with or like. Ask anyone and they will confirm for you in a heartbeat. I also know that I constantly test your patience—which is why I’m extra grateful for your relentless presence in my life. There was a time when neither of us could imagine being who we are for each other now. I don’t know about you, but now I cannot imagine not having you in my life the way you have been for the past 3 years.
You are a truly invaluable part of my life in ways you can’t even imagine. My only hope is that I have provided you with as much solace, support and inspiration as you have for me.
I’m not perfect and neither are you, but I’d rather be imperfect with you than perfect anywhere else. So please stay in my life for always.
You’re Never Alone, Kid
As you may know, joining an exhibition and showcasing my artwork have always been a dream of mine—so much so that I put it on my 30 Before 30 List. For over a decade, I never thought it would ever happen. But, just as I was ready to give up, the opportunity presented itself. It wasn’t a magical happenstance, though. It was made entirely possible through little things building up over the years.
The deciding factor was kicked into motion 3 years ago when I accepted and formed a bond with an intern at my last job—who ended up becoming my friend Mima who referred ICW to me when they were looking for artists to collab with. Sure, my hard work and tenacity to keep creating art may play a role there, but ultimately, she made it all possible for me. That’s how supportive she is and always has been. Thank you so much for thinking of me!
All my life I’ve always believed that you have to make something happen for yourself. What I didn’t know is that a lot of the things that happen to us are out of our control—which is why it’s so important to keep good friends around. Each and every opportunity I’ve ever been blessed with seems to come through people who I have known and with whom I have kept a pretty good relationship. Yes, none of this will be possible without my hard work, but it’s also important to remember that I am never alone—I never have been.
If you happened to miss the exhibition and would like to read the comic strips,
you can do that now on @alivegurlart!
You’re Never Alone, Kid
As you may know, joining an exhibition and showcasing my artwork have always been a dream of mine—so much so that I put it on my 30 Before 30 List. For over a decade, I never thought it would ever happen. But, just as I was ready to give up, the opportunity presented itself. It wasn’t a magical happenstance, though. It was made entirely possible through little things building up over the years.
The deciding factor was kicked into motion 3 years ago when I accepted and formed a bond with an intern at my last job—who ended up becoming my friend Mima who referred ICW to me when they were looking for artists to collab with. Sure, my hard work and tenacity to keep creating art may play a role there, but ultimately, she made it all possible for me. That’s how supportive she is and always has been. Thank you so much for thinking of me!
All my life I’ve always believed that you have to make something happen for yourself. What I didn’t know is that a lot of the things that happen to us are out of our control—which is why it’s so important to keep good friends around. Each and every opportunity I’ve ever been blessed with seems to come through people who I have known and with whom I have kept a pretty good relationship. Yes, none of this will be possible without my hard work, but it’s also important to remember that I am never alone—I never have been.
If you happened to miss the exhibition and would like to read the comic strips,
you can do that now on @alivegurlart!