Pameran Tunggal Fitri DK: Nyawiji Ibu Bumi

Since 2009, Fitri DK has been involved in the grassroots movement resisting cement factories in the Kendeng Mountains of Central Java. Her first encounter began with the criminalization of nine farmers, prompting her and the Taring Padi collective to create woodcut posters in solidarity with them. From that moment, her commitment has only deepened—not merely as an artist, but as a friend and ally, continuously practicing what the Kendeng people call “sambang, sambung, sumbang”: to visit, to connect, to contribute.

This solo exhibition is the result of long-term engagement and collaboration. It is born out of conversations under resistance tents, community ceremonies, and the fearless protest of Kendeng mothers who encased their feet in cement in front of the Presidential Palace. Fitri presents woodcut prints, batik works, clay installations, and resistance songs as a means of amplifying the spirit of “Nyawiji Ibu Bumi”—a Javanese phrase meaning to unite with Mother Earth, to live in harmony without causing harm.

The title was drawn from a Kendeng song lyric and embraced by both the artist and the community. For Fitri, documentation is not just about archiving but about education, shared learning, and building bridges of solidarity.

This exhibition also highlights the importance of intergenerational struggle. Community members proposed involving Wiji Kendeng, a youth collective deeply engaged in environmental learning. Their presence reminds us that resistance is not only against extraction but a commitment to sustaining cultural practices and ecological knowledge.

Through her multidisciplinary works, Fitri invites us to see how art can echo the voices of the people. Her art is not just a visual statement but a political act—a tool for dialogue, empathy, and alliance across regions. In today’s hyperconnected world, Fitri reaffirms the significance of physical presence and genuine relationships: solidarity begins with listening and learning together.

“Nyawiji Ibu Bumi” is an invitation to pause and listen—to the mountain being defended, to the water being conservated to the land cherished, to the women who stand firm for the sake of future generations. It is an exhibition born of friendship, courage, and love for the Earth.

Dito Yuwono & Mira Asriningtyas
Directors of Cemeti – Institut for Art and Society