Citra Sasmita, a contemporary Indonesian artist, offers a unique perspective that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity. Her vivid embroideries and paintings draw inspiration from ancient Balinese Kamasan scroll traditions, yet they reflect a fierce and contemporary form of femininity.
From Ancient Scrolls to Modern Feminism
Sasmita’s work challenges traditional myths and patriarchal narratives by envisioning a post-patriarchal world solely inhabited by women. Her large-scale tapestries and scrolls showcase a variety of fantastical stories where severed female warrior heads bloom into trees or transform into birds. These images often depict women meditating amidst intense flames, symbolizing both rebellion and transformation.
The Exhibition at Barbican
Sasmita’s latest exhibition, “Into Eternal Land,” is currently on display at London’s Barbican. Organized into a prologue, three acts, and an epilogue, the exhibition masterfully utilizes the 90-meter-long Curve gallery. Her scrolls, positioned to extend into the distance, invite visitors on a transformative journey through both tradition and modernity.
Merging Tradition and Modernity
Through her art, Sasmita brings modern ideas to life using traditional Balinese symbols. She explores themes of ritual, heaven, and hell, creating a new roster of female characters for her adapted legends and myths. These characters embody women’s experiences and challenges.
Sasmita’s artistic practice can be understood as a contemporary reimagining of traditional Balinese Kamasan paintings. Originating in the 15th century, Kamasan paintings historically depicted ancient epics and myths, chosen by men with women only influencing color choices. Sasmita subverts this tradition by integrating female perspectives.
Art as a Dialogue with History
Sasmita’s use of traditional Balinese artistic practices is a dialogue between antique objects and contemporary materials. She views her work as a bridge between modern audiences and historical contexts, a means of connecting present-day viewers with historical narratives.
Trained under Mangku Muriati, a renowned Hindu priestess and artist, Sasmita dedicated herself to creating a symbolically rich iconography of womanhood. Previously absent from traditional works, women are now central figures in her narratives, representing a personal feminist statement.
Reclaiming Balinese Art History
Sasmita’s art also aims to reclaim the history of Balinese art. She views the violent Dutch occupation of Bali in 1908 as fundamentally altering the course of the island’s artistic development, transforming traditional practices into a commodity for tourists. This shift shifted the focus from art as devotion to art as individual product.
Growing up, Sasmita was taught art as a means of glorifying Western artists, with little exposure to traditional Balinese art masters. Her goal is to empower Balinese crafters and traditional artists, recognizing their invaluable cultural heritage.
Although this is her first solo exhibition in the UK, Sasmita’s ambitions extend beyond global recognition. She strives to revive and strengthen the traditional artistic communities in her homeland, ensuring that Balinese art continues to thrive and evolve.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Citra Sasmita’s work is a powerful bridge between tradition and modernity, offering a transformative perspective on femininity and cultural heritage. Viewers are encouraged to engage with her exhibition at the Barbican, where her visionary art brings ancient stories into a new era.
Share your thoughts on Sasmita’s unique artistry and contribution to feminist and cultural discourse in the comments below. Join us in celebrating and supporting traditional arts that resonate with contemporary themes.
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