Opening Tumbuh Rimpang
November 29, 2024
Tilas
Ayurika
Exhibition
Common Beauty II
Artist
Ayurika
Written by
Krisna Sudharma
Ayurika recontextualizes Kerokan, not as a mere physical act, but as a symbolic gesture of hope and healing.
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creates a body of work that is born from a deep exploration of resilience, beauty, and the nuanced complexities of the female experience. Her oeuvre, marked by an inquisitive exploration into the female body, serves not only as an artistic language but as a bold statement of aesthetic rebellion. Through her large-scale works, Ayurika invites us to confront the unfamiliar – the uncommon surfaced beauty of womanhood that challenges traditional perceptions and societal norms. It is this daring exploration that leaves audiences both shocked and mesmerized, reflecting the ever-evolving conversation around the human life cycle.
“Tilas,” a piece emblematic of Ayurika’s thematic concerns, delves into the interconnected realms of indigenous knowledge and its intersection with the human condition. The artwork stands as a tribute to the myriad ways humans grapple with illness, recovery, and the search for healing. At its core, “Tilas” intricately weaves the practice of Kerokan – a traditional method of scratching the body with a coin, leaving red marks that are often misunderstood by the medical community. Yet, Ayurika recontextualizes Kerokan, not as a mere physical act, but as a symbolic gesture of hope and healing.
The addition of elements—the Batik cloth motif Wahyu Tumurun, which serves as the base, and a Lurik cloth cover, which stands for protection and recuperation while sleeping—further enhances the rich texture of “Tilas.” These elements are deeply rooted in the belief of “nyirep lara” (absorbing illness), an inspired practice that reverberates through time; it communicates the abundance of beliefs and practices that define our collective human experience. It is an invitation to decode the societal stigma surrounding body image and to acknowledge that the path to healing and beauty is not linear nor confined to the narrow corridors of largely recognized healthcare systems. The patterns of Kerokan, reminiscent of the thoracic bone, serve as a metaphor for the deep-seated connection between our physical bodies and our inherent beauty which is far from superficial interpretations.
Through “Tilas,” Ayurika not only reshapes our understanding of the female body but also invites us into a contemplative space where beauty, healing, and humanity converge. The work serves as a reminder of life’s diverse beliefs and encourages going beyond a singular perspective for a true comprehension of humanity. Ayurika’s work characterizes the journey of body discovery, positions it amidst broader narratives of body stigma, and balances indigenous healing practices with prevalent healthcare systems. The artwork implies that while reasoning is integral to modern healthcare, it often fails to fully embrace the diverse healing wisdom embedded in indigenous methods.
