SILENT RAINBOW I, 2018
Acrylic on canvas
125 x 150 cm
The Rainbow Series is part of her ongoing Jawi Series that she first explored in her seminal work
‘Lingga Yoni’ (1994). Her usage and fascination towards the lettering system are also apparent in
the Flag Series. Jawi or Pegon is an adapted Arabic script used in Indonesia as part of cultural
and religious assimilation. The unique way Arahmaiani stylize her Pegon typographies meant to
provide and return the image of Islam from violence and terror post-9/11 back into peace and
kindness. The usage of Pegon also exemplifies the tolerance and openness of Indonesian culture.
The presentation of this Arabic calligraphy is rounded and colourful, unlike the stereotype, which
the artist hopes to create more conversation and to disprove fears and claims attached to her
identity and the majority religion of her nation Indonesia.
