Tambalan - Community Murals CIC (Cymru/Wales) & Jogja Disability Arts (Indonesia)

Author: Community Murals CIC & Jogja Disability Arts

Collaboration between:

Community Murals CIC (Cymru/Wales)

Andrew Bolton, Sophie Bolton

Ophelia Dos Santos, Lisa Tann

and

Jogja Disability Arts (Indonesia)

Sukri Budi Dharma (Advisor),Nano Warsono (Art Director), Triarani Utami (Lead Conceptor & Collaboration Facilitator),Wiji Astuti (Batik Artisan & Workshop Facilitator)

Tambalan explores the connections between Indonesian batik traditions and Welsh culture. Inspired by the philosophy of batik tambalan - patchwork cloth symbolizing healing, recovery, and renewal-the project brings together artist residencies, collaborative creative processes, and cross-cultural dialogue through the lens of disability rights.

Drawing on the lived experiences of disabled artists and communities in both countries, the draws on experiences of being seen, heard, and embraced. This is the foundation for collaborative works that reflect on identity, care work, resilience, and belonging.

The Tambalan Project invites us to view interdependence and care as an ongoing, shared responsibility - one that is recognized both individually and collectively. Through this project, we aim to create more inclusive spaces where diversity of experience is valued and art becomes a medium for building connection, solidarity, and driving social change.

The tambalan patchwork and texts were created through a process of reflection and workshops together with disabled artists from Wales and Indonesia, children from Ty Gwyn School, Cardiff and Indonesian and UK communities in Wrexham and Cardiff. Each stroke of the canting on the triangles carries its own meaning and story.

Participating artists:

Edi Priyanto, Mel Hobday, Mylo Elliot, Rhys Trimble, Rowenna Williams, Sukri Budi Dharma

Documentation:;

Ericka Ardilla Shefa, Nathania Anya Estiningtyas Wulandari

Collaborators:

Disability Arts Cymru, Equalitera Arts Space, Yogyakarta, Galeri R.J Katamsi ISI Yogyakarta, Indonesians in Wales, Makers Guild (Craft in The Bay), Cardiff, 

Pedal Power Cardiff, Pontio Art Space, Bangor, Tata Kelola Seni ISI Yogyakarta,

Ty Gwyn School, Cardiff, Ty Pawb, Wrexham

Supported by:

Wales Art International

Arts Council of Wales