Citra Sasmita’s inaugural UK exhibition, “Into Eternal Land,” transforms the Barbican’s Curve gallery into a vivid narrative space that beckons viewers into a realm where traditional Balinese artistry converges with contemporary feminist discourse. Drawing from the 15th-century Kamasan painting technique—historically dominated by male artists—Sasmita reimagines these visual narratives to foreground powerful female figures, thereby challenging entrenched gender hierarchies.
The exhibition unfolds in a theatrical sequence, commencing with a prologue and advancing through three acts to an epilogue. Each segment immerses visitors in a multisensory experience, employing painting, installation, embroidery, and even scent to explore themes of ancestral memory, ritual, and migration. The ambient composition by Indonesian composer Agha Praditya Yogaswara further enhances the sacred atmosphere, enveloping the viewer in a contemplative soundscape.
A standout piece within this journey is the expansive scroll painting that stretches along the gallery’s curved walls. Measuring an impressive 32 meters, this artwork portrays women undergoing profound transformations—metamorphosing into trees, bird spirits, and other natural elements. These figures, depicted with flaming auras and dynamic forms, symbolize resilience and rebirth, encapsulating Sasmita’s vision of a post-patriarchal world where female agency is both celebrated and reclaimed.
Sasmita’s work not only reclaims traditional Balinese art forms but also confronts the island’s colonial past and the commodification of its culture. By collaborating with local artisans and integrating indigenous materials, she honors and revitalizes endangered craft traditions, positioning her art as both a tribute to and a reimagining of Balinese heritage. “Into Eternal Land” stands as a testament to the enduring power of art to challenge societal norms and envision new mythologies that resonate across cultures and epochs.
