Arahmaiani Indonesian, b. 1961
The exhibition explores themes of spirituality (particularly informed by Tibetan Buddhism), cultural syncretism, humanity’s interconnectedness with nature, and the place of the feminine in religious traditions and in spiritual life in general. Arahmaiani is fascinated by the buried past of her native Java, its rich Hindu-Buddhist cultural heritage – which is now often under-recognized – and the monumental temples that were overgrown for centuries until their rediscovery in more recent times. Tibet has become an important part of Arahmaini’s own spiritual journey, both as a woman and a Javanese Muslim.