Two students from the Master’s Program in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) UGM, Febri Anugerah and Isradina Paricha, from the art collective Lelaku Studio, were participating artists in the Biennale Jatim XI, which took place from 20 August to 20 September 2025. The biennale, which is being held at the Pudak Gallery in Gresik, East Java, is themed Hantu Laut: The Spectre of The Sea and serves as a space to re-examine society’s relationship with the ocean. Lelaku Studio, active since 2018, is known for its distinctive artistic practice that merges archaeological research with material innovation. Their focus on repurposing High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic is not merely an aesthetic choice but also a principled stance aligned with sustainable production and environmental stewardship.
The primary work they are exhibiting is an installation titled “Penunggu Garis Air” (The Guardian of the Waterline). Responding to the biennale’s theme, the work visually manifests as a spiritual gateway between dimensions. The centerpiece of the gate features a complex relief depicting a guardian goddess, flanked by her two faithful wahana (spiritual vehicles): an ape and an elephant. The inspiration for this piece is drawn from the practices of coastal communities who dedicate spaces to honor the unseen guardians of the sea. Thus, “Penunggu Garis Air” acts as a medium that records rituals, collective memory, and the ecological anxieties of society concerning the ocean.
More than just an art object, “Penunggu Garis Air” is a powerful conceptual bridge. The installation unites the personal narratives of both artists: Isradina’s experiences, rooted in South Sumatra (upstream), are interwoven with Febri’s perspective from Java (downstream). This meeting of two cultural landscapes gives birth to a visual metaphor for the journey from trauma to recovery. Through this work, Lelaku Studio actively invites the audience to reflect on humanity’s spiritual connection with water. The piece serves as a manifesto that nurturing local memory and beliefs is a gentle yet profound form of resistance against the neglect of cultural heritage.
Broader Context and Participation
Biennale Jatim XI is a large-scale exhibition involving a total of 67 artists from Indonesia and abroad. The event showcases a diverse range of artistic mediums, from visual arts to performance art, and is enriched by various other art activation programs. The participation of PSPSR UGM students in this event highlights their active contribution to Indonesia’s contemporary art ecosystem. Biennale Jatim XI involves a curatorial team consisting of Ismal Muntaha, Elyda K. Rara, Ragil Cahya Maulana, and Vini Salma Fadhilah. Their work is supported by Lucky Childa Pratama as Artistic Director and Danny Hartanto as Program Director.
Holistically, Lelaku Studio’s work and creative process align with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In terms of production, the choice of recycled HDPE plastic is a tangible form of Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) and a critical response to the issue of marine pollution that threatens Life Below Water (SDG 14). Thematically, the work contributes to Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11) by highlighting and preserving the intangible cultural heritage of coastal communities. Ultimately, the entire process serves as a platform for Quality Education (SDG 4) for the artists as students, who apply their academic knowledge in a professional setting to hone their research skills, artistic practice, and professional networks. (IP)
