"Gotong Royong”
Baladk Street Art Festival, Amman, Jordan – 2023

Before developing this mural for Baladk Street Art Festival in Amman, Jordan, I began by researching the local context through conversations with the festival curator and reading about the social issues affecting the community. I was particularly moved by reports highlighting the mental health challenges and invisible burdens experienced by many Jordanian women. Although the circumstances differed from those in Indonesia, I recognized a shared experience of women carrying responsibilities for their families and communities while often putting their own well-being aside.

In response, I created "Gotong Royong", a mural inspired by the Indonesian philosophy of mutual cooperation and collective care. The artwork depicts two women supporting one another, expressing the belief that emotional burdens become lighter when shared within a community. To connect the mural to its surroundings, I incorporated visual elements inspired by Jordanian textile patterns created by local women, creating a dialogue between Indonesian values and Jordanian culture.

Community participation became an essential part of the project. Together with the festival team, we invited women and girls from the neighborhood to join a mural painting workshop. For many participants, it was their first experience painting on a public wall. Beyond contributing to the mural, the workshop created a space for conversation, cultural exchange, and shared creativity.

This project represents an important part of my practice: beginning with listening, grounding my work in local stories, and using public art as a platform for dialogue, connection, and community participation rather than simply creating an image in public space.