JAKARTA — A graceful 13th-century statue of Prajnaparamita, the Buddhist goddess of wisdom, greets visitors at the entrance of a powerful new exhibition at the National Museum of Indonesia. Titled Sunting: Jejak Perempuan Indonesia Penggerak Perubahan (Sunting: Footprints of Indonesian Women Driving Change), the exhibition honors the often-overlooked women who helped lay the foundation for modern Indonesia.
The exhibition, which opened on April 21 to coincide with Kartini Day, begins by spotlighting Queen Gayatri Rajapatni. According to the ancient Negarakretagama manuscript, she is believed to be represented by the statue and was a pivotal figure in the Majapahit Empire, mentoring military leader Gajah Mada and guiding the reign of her grandson, King Hayam Wuruk.
From there, the exhibit guides visitors through time, showcasing women whose contributions spanned education, healthcare, journalism, the arts and activism — from the colonial era to today.
Among the rare artifacts on display are R.A. Kartini’s personal letterbox, educational pioneer Nyi Hadjar Dewantara’s eyeglasses, physician Marie Thomas’s photo album, and original writings by journalist Roehana Koeddoes. Roehana’s groundbreaking 1912 women’s newspaper Soenting Melajoe inspired the exhibition’s name — sunting referring both to a traditional female headpiece and the act of editing or reshaping, symbolizing women’s efforts to transform their lives and society.
“The stories here reflect how these women ‘edited’ not just their own fates, but the direction of their communities and our country,” curator Sabila Duhita Drijono told Asia News Network.
A striking timeline charts key moments in Indonesia’s women’s rights movement, while works by contemporary voices such as Saparinah Sadli — Komnas Perempuan’s first chair — and feminist philosopher Toety Heraty demonstrate how gender roles have been challenged and redefined within a patriarchal society.
The exhibition also highlights cultural trailblazers such as Emiria Soenassa, Indonesia’s first female painter from North Sulawesi; Titiek Puspa, a celebrated singer-songwriter; and Non Kawilarang, a pioneer in fashion design.
Modern Reflections on the Past
Since its opening, Sunting has attracted visitors of all ages and backgrounds. For Fiori Violetta, 27, a social media professional, the Prajnaparamita statue was a highlight. “It’s so beautifully detailed,” she said during a recent visit. But the stories of early female doctors like Anna Warouw and Marie Thomas left the deepest impression.
“I had no idea there were female doctors that early in history,” she said. “It’s not something we usually learn in school. Maybe it should be.”
For Stefer, 36, a former MMA fighter, the exhibition shed new light on women’s diverse roles in Indonesia’s past. “There’s a section about Ibu Tien [Soeharto’s wife], and it made me realize just how many amazing women we had. The whole thing was fascinating,” he said.
A Living Legacy
As the exhibition nears its close, visitors are invited to reflect in an interactive installation by artist Ika Vantiani titled Menjadi Dian yang Tak Padam (To Be an Unquenchable Light). The work symbolizes each woman featured in the exhibit as a small, glowing, enduring lamp.
Made of fabric-covered postcards wrapped around a cylindrical light structure, the installation invites guests to write messages about women’s impact and add them to the piece. “The struggle isn’t over,” said Sabila. “Ika’s installation reminds us that we are all part of this ongoing story.”The Sunting exhibition runs through July 31, offering visitors a chance to walk through a history shaped, inspired and transformed by generations of Indonesian women.
