Yogyakarta, October 5, 2025 – Khairunnisa Sholikhah, a student from the Master of Performing and Visual Arts Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (PSPSR UGM), participated as an artist in the Biennale Jogja 2025, themed “KAWRUH: The Land of Practice” (KAWRUH: Tanah Lelaku). The Biennale Jogja 2025 is held from October 5 to November 20, 2025, across 12 venues in Yogyakarta. Khairunnisa, who is collaborating with the Arungkala Collective, is one of the 60 participating artists.
Through the theme “KAWRUH: The Land of Practice” (KAWRUH: Tanah Lelaku), Biennale Jogja 2025 aims to emphasize that knowledge can also emerge from experience, practice, and the social relations of village communities. This theme aligns with the residency project previously conducted by the Arungkala Collective in February at the Nyah Lasem Museum and Kendeng. The results of this residency are presented as two installation works at the Biennale Jogja 2025.
The two installation works are “Omah Samin,” located at Joglo Pak Newu, Panggungharjo, and “Kios Diorama” at the Vredeburg Fort Museum. “Omah Samin” seeks to convey the spirit and values that the Sedulur Sikep community in Kendeng holds steadfastly. Meanwhile, “Kios Diorama” is a work intended to evoke the memory of a forgotten Chinese woman, Oei Siotja. Both works share a common thread: forgotten narratives.
The “Omah Samin” installation consists of an earthenware jug, a speaker, a small table, a pandan mat, and other elements of varying dimensions. Each material element was chosen symbolically, ensuring the work not only represents the Samin people but also carries the spirit of local knowledge. The “Kios Diorama” installation comprises wooden pieces shaped like a small kiosk, a zine, a rasterbator poster, fake money, chiffon fabric, a miniature clay diorama, and other varying dimensions. Through the familiar form of a kiosk, a common public space in daily life, this work invites visitors to delve into fragments of history drawn from the residency research on Oei Siotja.
“Omah Samin” and “Kios Diorama” are not merely finished artworks but also function as “platforms” for a series of activations throughout the Biennale Jogja 2025. By positioning the works as “platforms,” Khairunnisa Sholikhah and the Arungkala Collective invite the public to participate in a range of activations, from historical walking tours and discussions to zine workshops. These diverse activations break down the boundaries between artist, artwork, and audience.
Participation in the Biennale Jogja contributes tangibly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This contribution is reflected in: SDG 4 (Quality Education) by utilizing research and artwork presentation as a medium for critical education; SDG 5 (Gender Equality) through the effort to revive the narrative of Oei Siotja, which aims to highlight the struggle for gender equality; SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through the two installations that preserve the culture of the Samin and Lasem communities; SDG 13 (Climate Action), focusing on the ecological crisis through “Omah Samin”; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by building partnerships between academics, art institutions, and communities.
Through these two installation works, Khairunnisa Sholikhah, together with the Arungkala Collective, demonstrates how contemporary art practices can serve as a bridge connecting the past and present, as well as an inclusive and transformative space for dialogue. (KS)
