*CIN (TA) TTOO KEPADAKU
*cintaku kepadaku
|
an exhibition about tattoo and women by Lilu Herlambang
In Prayer, 2019. Subjek Empat / Kesendirian. Printed on paper, 100 x 150 cm.
This project was exhibited in Galeri Hidayat, 21 - 23 June 2019, as a part of her final project to gain her Bachelor's degree in Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia. The exhibition was opened with some words from Nasirun, followed by artist talk and a discussion about woman and tattoos together with Avi Basuki and the collaborators.
Shopping for Bottles, 2019. Subjek Dua / Keseharian. Printed on paper, 100 x 150 cm.
Everything in life is about connection.
Between individuals.
Between people and tattoos.
Exploring the bonds between art and mind.
In this series are women who are connected, self and reflections, of how they are and how they're precieved.
In the midst of a judging crowd, in the midst of religious communities, these are people who know who they are and aren't afraid.
Have you found your place in this life?
I Don't Bite #2, 2019. Subjek Dua / Kesendirian. Printed on paper, 100 x 150 cm.
In the early 19th century with the emergence of feminism in the world, tattoos were considered a popular accessory among the wealthy socialites. It was at the time a symbol of freedom, for woman to determine their lives and at the same time to give power over their own bodies. In the 20th and early 21st century, tattoos then evolved into a pop culture, and were less considered part of women's resistence. Television and print media play an active role to emphasize this situation, although the perception of women with tattoos is still considered a negative- even now.
In Indonesia, tattoos were made popular by Tora Sudiro, an actor who began to appear on TV in early 2000. Now, many tattooed women are appearing in the media all over the archipelago; like Mrs. Susi Pudjiastuti as Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries or Avi Basuki who was the first supermodel in Indonesia in the early 90s.
These days, there are always the perception of women with tattoos as naughty and impure in society. There's a certain beauty standards that we are expected to follow here in indonesia that I condemn; being fair skinned, straight hair, modest clothes, and definitely no tattoos.
With this project I would like to open a discussion between tattooed women and the public about the stigma that follows women and tattoo.
Mirrored Self #2, 2019. Subjek Tiga / Keseharian. Printed on paper, 60 x 90 cm.
Cintattoo Kepadaku (Cintaku Kepadaku, a word play of Self-Love) is an emotional struggle for women who are empowered in determining their lives. Breaking away from the brackets of the obsolescence of cultural perception through the path chosen on the basis of one's own awareness. Rebellion over perception and determining its own path, while disconnecting social perception that had been carried out.
Kesendirian / Kemurnian | Solitude / Purity
The first concept captures the relation between the tattoos and the body in a personal way. Focusing on subjects who have tattoos that is not yet shown, to see how the tattoo contributes to their solitude, how it connects to the subject's personal background, and at some point, reforms into the purity of said person.
A Line of Thought, 2019. Subjek Satu / Kesendirian. Printed on paper, 60 x 90 cm.
In Limbo, 2019. Subjek Satu / Keseharian. Printed on paper, 60 x 90 cm.
Keseharian / Keterbukaan | Daily / Openness
The second concept, besides documenting pattern and placement of the tattoos, also placed the subject in a daily situation. Capturing the woman, the tattoo, the domestic insistence in an effort to normalize the situation; putting the taboo aside.
Subjek Satu is my best friend, a fashion stylist that now is based in Bali. We are skin friends- which means that we first learnt tattooing each other. I've made couple tattoos on her as she has mine, we've experimented together and I understand completely about her creative ideas.
For her, each dot of tattoos on her skin is an expression of her deepest self- her pain.
Calm in Chaotic, 2019. Subjek Dua / Keseharian. Printed on paper, 60 x 90 cm.
I Don't Bite #2, 2019. Subjek Dua / Kesendirian. Printed on paper, 60 x 90 cm.
Subjek Dua came from a royal bloodline, both her parents are prominent figure in Indonesia. She started getting tattoos since she was 16, inspired by the album Joy Division. Her first tattoo is about radio emissions given out by a pulsar, a rotating neutron star. "I love music", she said. Most of the tattoos that she have are inspired from the footsteps of music that she likes. Her back tattoo is a Hannya, a japanese mask that is a symbol of protection.
For her, tattoos are a part of her freedom of self expression.
Mirrored Self #1, 2019. Subjek Tiga / Keseharian. Printed on paper, 60 x 90 cm.
Covered up, 2019. Subjek Tiga / Kesendirian. Printed on paper, 60 x 90 cm.
Subjek Tiga is a seeker of paradise. She is a tattoo artist that is raised in a very strict islamic family. Her mom wears the burka. Even though only her close family knows her with her tattoos, they still accepts her as she is. Key to paradise - is her wish of freedom. She's allergic to many things- one of them being the air and dust around, and therefore is forced to stay away from most things.
"Couple of times I insisted to play in the beach, and after the allergy would put me in bed for a couple of days. That's why I wanted to write it as a wish on my own body."
Family Picture, 2019. Subjek Empat / Keseharian. Printed on paper, 100 x 150 cm.
An appreciation to the culture is what guided her towards choosing Mentawai tattoo to be drawn on her body. Subjek Empat has always been an activist, animal lover, and costume director. She is also a friend of Aman Durga Sipatiti, one of the very few people that's studying to preserve the tattoo culture of Mentawai.
Placing her trust in Durga, she never plan on getting the next tattoo- leaving it to the universe to place both of them in the same place and the same time, giving them a chance to catch up with tattoos.
Portrait, 2019. Subjek Empat / Keseharian. Printed on paper, 60 x 90 cm.
In and Out #1, 2019. Subjek Lima / Kesendirian. Printed on paper, 60 x 90 cm.
Subjek Lima is the youngest subject of five. She is a student in International Relations. She's tiny but energetic, always letting out a very relaxed atmosphere. Her daily routine consists of hanging out with close friends over a couple of drinks.
She is a self proclaimed rebel. For her, tattoo is an expression of a journey of finding herself.
In and Out #2, 2019. Subjek Lima / Keseharian. Printed on paper, 60 x 90 cm.
© Lilu Herlambang, 2019.