Eatons Hill artist reflects on bushfires in first exhibition

In her first exhibition Eatons Hill artist Yuliana Kusumastuti embraces her cultural heritage to try and make sense of Australia’s devastating bushfires.

Eatons Hill artist Yuliana Kusumastuti’s first exhibition is showing until January 31 at the Albany Creek Library. Photo supplied.

The first exhibition by Eatons Hill artist Yuliana Kusumastuti blends her response to Australia’s horrific bushfires with works drawing on traditional Indonesian philosophies.

The artist and writer embraces Mega Mendung, a traditional Indonesian batik pattern, in her work.

She said Mega Mendung, which encourages calm, uses colour gradation of light to dark with up to seven gradations to “show the message of patience and how to manage one’s feelings”.

Ms Kusumastuti said it was difficult not to respond to the bushfires as they had generated deep sadness in her and the art works gave her an opportunity to understand her grief and try to make sense of it.

She said as the bushfire tragedy unfolded, she was reminded that “we cannot live in isolation”.

Pieces like “Fire”, “The Aftermath”, “Black” and “Shining Down” are her “spontaneous response to the disaster,” she said.

Ms Kusumastuti draws on traditional Indonesian philosophies to create her art. Photo supplied.

The exhibition “Language of Belonging” also reflects many familiar Brisbane landscapes like the Hornibrook Bridge.

“I use my drawings to reflect the connections of people through their eyes. The connections are either to a place or society. I draw the places that I am familiar with -the landscapes around northside Brisbane and the general landscape,” she said.

“I draw as an observer but also from my perception of the way people observe me – I am intrigued by what people think about others.

The journalist, writer and mother of two children said “my art draws from my cultural background and identity as an Indonesian living in Australia, two places that I call home.”

The exhibition ‘The Language of Belonging’ reflects local landscapes as well as stories from life. Photo. supplied.

Reflecting on motherhood, tragedy and women in society, the paintings delve into her own “secret” world.

“I go without any expectations the drawing/the painting shapes itself as something unexpected yet true to me,” she said.

“This spontaneous base I create then allows me to play with the lines, geometrics and colours. I interpret these outcomes as the contrast between times that are euphoric mania and depressing lows, common symptoms of life which define who we are”.

“When the artwork is in a public space it is not mine anymore. People can interpret anything and that is fascinating to me. I learn a lot from others opinions.”

The works use mixed media, including acrylic paint, fabrics, wool, found and vintage objects.

The Language of Belonging is open to the public until January 31, 2020 at the Albany Creek Library, 16 Ferguson St, Albany Creek.

Half of all sales will be donated to the Koala Foundation.