ISA Art Gallery in Jakarta recently held the first exhibition in its 'Biophilia' series, titled 'Exquisite Corpse', which ran from February 14 to April 16. The show features works centered on nature and sustainability, with a standout piece by artist Fitri DK: two batik works titled 'Selamatan Bumi 1 and 2'. These works depict the 'Nine Kartinis of Kendeng', a group of women from Central Java fighting to protect their karst mountains from a cement factory that threatens their clean water supply. The exhibition draws its title from Elza Adamowicz's book on Surrealist collage, emphasizing fragmented, collective creation.
The exhibition matters because it connects contemporary art directly to urgent environmental and social justice issues in Indonesia. Fitri DK's batik works highlight the real-life struggle of indigenous Samin people and farmers in Rembang and Pati regencies against a state-owned cement plant, PT Semen Indonesia, which was built without proper community consultation. By placing this protest at the heart of a curated art fair series, ISA Art Gallery uses its platform—including its management of major Southeast Asian art fairs like Art Jakarta and S.E.A. Focus—to amplify grassroots resistance and the role of art in environmental advocacy.