Ipeh Nur resides and works in Yogyakarta. She graduated from Graphic Arts major at Indonesian Institute of Arts. Many of her works are black and white illustrations made on papers. She also utilizes other techniques and media such as printing, etching, mural, and resin sculpting. She partakes in a number of group exhibitions, among others 80 nan Ampuh, at Bentara Budaya, Yogyakarta (2019); Waktu dan Ingatan Tak Pernah Diam, at IVAA, Yogyakarta; Pressing Matters, at Framer Framed, Amsterdam (2018); Beyond Masculinity, at Ark Galerie, Yogyakarta (2017); and The 1st Jogja Miniprint Biennale, at Museum Bank Indonesia Yogyakarta and Mien Gallery, Yogyakarta (2014). In 2018, she organized two solo exhibitions respectively titled Salimah at REDBASE and Banda at Kedai Kebun Forum.
She also participated in the Residensi Kelana Laut program in Pambusuang Village, Polewali Mandar District, West Sulawesi. Throughout the residency, she investigated the ocean themed traditions and rites of the community. Among them were also beliefs on the supernatural/mythical creatures, ghosts in the sea, Prophet Khidr as the ruler of the ocean, and taboos as a form of respect and attempt to preserve the ocean as the source of livelihood. Various rites and traditions are inherited throughout generations. These include the rites for maintaining the products or technologies they made, in this case: houses and boats. Houses and boats are believed to possess a spirit or soul symbolized by posiq (literally means “belly button” on human body which indicates the center). When making a boat, for example, a ritual leader is invited to conduct mapposiq (the making of posiq). The center of the boat reflects the hope for safety and abundance of fish during fishing. The same applies to the center of a house (posiq bola), it becomes the place for rituals to ask for safety and welfare for the family members who sail on the sea. All findings obtained throughout the residency in Pambusuang were then processed by Ipeh to gives them new interpretations.
Photo source: framerframed.nl
