Timur Merah Project XII: River With No End, 9 antique wooden pillars , Rahim (womb) symbol, medicinal plant flags in old embroidery technique from west Bali, antique coins from 1930 Dutch/Arab Javanese money 15 to 20 embroidery flags size approximately 80×60 cm, 1 scroll flag 40 x 1000 cm, 9 pillars 150 cm to 180 cm long.

On view is a work from Sasmita’s Timur Merah Project (2019 – ongoing), which traces the spread of Islamic culture across the Indonesian archipelago, its arrival through sea routes, and the relevance of the port of Nusantara within this history. Carved wooden pillars — symbolising rivers, the flow of knowledge, and the fluid Islamic and Hindi civilisation of Bali — are positioned at a horizontal. Typical of Nusantara’s traditional architecture, they demonstrate the historical influence of Islam imprinted on the city. Attached to these pillars are embroidered tapestries and flags whose forms are inspired by boat sailed from the region.

Commissioned by: The Diriyah Biennale Foundation for the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2024