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Healing wounds: Papuan art collective delivers activism through fine art
Udeido brings to focus art inspired by cases of human rights violation, women’s rights and environmental issues in Papua.
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Art collective: Udeido members (from left) Dicky Takndare, Nelson Natkime, Yanto Gombo, Andre Takimai, Betty Adii, Constantinus Ruharusun and Michael Yan Devis. (Courtesy of the Organizing Commitee Biennale Jogja XVI Equator #6 2021) (Personal collection/Courtesy of the Organizing Commitee Biennale Jogja XVI Equator #6 2021)
A
rt collective Udeido brings to focus art inspired by cases of human rights violation, women’s rights and environmental issues in Papua.
In October, 23-year-old artist Betty Adii showcased her first ever art installation at one of Yogyakarta's most prominent art exhibitions, Jogja Biennale XVI.
The Sentani-born artist had previously focused on acrylic and watercolor painting. For the exhibition, she created statues of bullets made from resin, their shape purposely evoking the male genitalia, shaped grotesquely with images of skeletons. On the bullets, shapes that look like women’s underwear appear stuck.
"Dystopian Reality: The Agony of Existence" came from Betty’s research and feelings on the issue of violence against women in her native Papua.
One of her references for this piece was a report published by the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) titled, Testimony of Papuan Women Victims of Violence and Human Rights Violations 1963-2009: Stop It. She learned of the impact of a culture centered upon toxic ideas about masculinity.
"When I learned about the issue, I found a connection between domination and masculinity [in conflicts]. That's how I came up with the idea of the bullets," Betty said.
