Logandeng, October 18, 2025 — Tiang Senja, a student from the Master’s Program in Performing Art and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) at Universitas Gadjah Mada, participated as an artist-participant in the Gelaran Olah Rupa (Visual Arts Exhibition) of the Yogyakarta Cultural Festival (FKY) 2025. Tiang Senja, alongside Nabila Rahma, collaborated with the Gunungkidul Artists Association (Ikatan Perupa Gunungkidul) in creating an artwork titled Gelu.
Gelaran Olah Rupa served as a meeting space for artists from various regions, emphasizing collaborative processes, research, and the cultivation of social relations. This activity was part of the Residensi Pekan Sowan (Visiting Week Residency), a program that convened nine artist collectives in diverse areas of Gunungkidul. Tiang Senja and Nabila Rahma, together with Ikatan Perupa Gunungkidul, undertook a residency in the Giring, Sodo, Paliyan, Gunungkidul region. During the residency, they explored several significant sites, such as the Pesarean (Tomb) of Ki Ageng Giring, Watu Gowang River, Watu Lumpang (Mortar Stone), and Mount Bagus. This journey not only provided geological insights but also fostered a spiritual and ecological understanding of the human relationship with land and water. The Giring–Sodo region demonstrated the interconnectedness between local knowledge, tradition, and the community’s daily life with their natural environment.
The exhibited work, Gelu, was an installation composed of clay, bamboo, fabric, wood, and stone. Gelu took the form of three solid earth mounds inspired by the gelu (a funerary headrest used in Javanese burial traditions). In its symbolic function, gelu serves as a reminder that life is transient and that all human actions will ultimately return to the earth. The artwork reflects the human life cycle, which begins and ends with the soil, while simultaneously marking the intersection of the material and spiritual worlds. The Gelu installation space evoked a ritualistic atmosphere, integrating visual elements, sound, and earth as a symbol of encounter. A musical collaboration with Swara Prana intensified the vibrant and dynamic spatial experience. In the context of this exhibition, Gelu did not merely exist as a visual object, but also functioned as a space for contemplation on life cycles, resilience, and ecological consciousness.
The engagement of PSPSR UGM students in this exhibition contributed to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), among others: SDG 4 – Quality Education, as PSPSR students were involved in experiential learning and collaborative research processes. SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, as this collaboration strengthened the relationships between art practitioners, the local community, and the environment. And SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, as the project involved collaborative efforts among academics, the art community, and local residents.
Through their artwork and its creation process, PSPSR UGM students actively contributed to reinforcing community-based art practices that cultivate social, ecological, and cultural consciousness. The Gelaran Olah Rupa demonstrated that cross-regional and interdisciplinary encounters can foster sustainable, collaborative learning spaces. (IP)
