These five artists redefine contemporary art, blending tradition, innovation, and personal narratives on the global stage

Indonesia has been selected to host the new phase of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women (2025–2027), which, for the first time, follows a nomadic format, moving to a different country for each edition. In this opening stage, five Indonesian women artists—Betty Adii, Dzikra Afifah, Ipeh Nur, Mira Rizki, and Dian Suci—have been chosen as finalists, marking a landmark moment for both the national and international contemporary art scene.

Their works navigate the intersection of tradition and contemporary practice, spanning from ceramics that preserve ancestral knowledge and narratives rooted in maritime mythology to experimental media such as soundscapes and video. Cecilia Alemani, chair of the jury, emphasizes that the artists’ strength lies not only in their technical skill but also in how their work connects personal stories with wider social and cultural themes.

Betty Adii, a Papua-born artist now based in Yogyakarta, is recognized for works highlighting the experiences of Papuan women. Self-taught and without formal art training, Betty creates paintings, drawings, and installations that blend traditional cultural references with contemporary visual forms, challenging dominant narratives about Papua while amplifying the voices of women from her region.

Dzikra Afifah from Bandung brings a unique approach to ceramics. She begins with solid clay before gradually hollowing it from the inside, resulting in forms that can change unpredictably during firing. For Dzikra, physical labor—kneading, carving, and shaping the material—is central to her creative process, fostering a dialogue between the artist’s body and her medium.

Ipeh Nur, based in Yogyakarta, explores the connections between memory, mythology, and oral history. Working across multiple media including drawings, paintings, batik, ceramics, installations, and video, she researches the maritime cultures of the Nusantara, emphasizing the interplay between the body, materials, and collective memories preserved in traditional narratives.

Mira Rizki, a multidisciplinary artist from Bandung, focuses primarily on sound. Through soundscape experiments and interactive installations, she creates immersive experiences that encourage audiences to recognize the unique ways individuals perceive and interpret sound.

Dian Suci, also based in Yogyakarta, draws inspiration from her personal experience as a single mother. Her work examines the relationship between domestic spaces and political power, addressing patriarchy, authoritarianism, and social structures that shape women’s everyday lives.

Max Mara, Collezione Maramotti, and Museum MACAN have announced these five artists as finalists for the 10th edition of the prize, under the guidance of the jury chaired by Cecilia Alemani, alongside Museum MACAN Director Venus Lau, curator Amanda Ariawan, gallerist Megan Arlin, collector Evelyn Halim, and artist Melati Suryodarmo. Indonesia serves as the main stage for this year’s prize, with Museum MACAN, Jakarta, as the official partner.

Through their diverse practices and perspectives, these five artists not only showcase exceptional artistic talent but also demonstrate that Indonesian women’s art can make a significant impact on the global stage.

photo source: instagram.com/ellipseartprojects and instagram.com/ipehnurberesyit

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