East Java and Western Australia create an arts space for blind people

Malang, East Java (ANTARA) – The East Java Provincial Government and Western Australia have created an arts space for blind people called Jaran Tjukurpa. The event was held on Wednesday evening at the Singhasari Special Economic Zone in Malang regency, East Java.

East Java Social Affairs Agency head Restu Novi Widiani said at the venue that the event was intended to give people with disabilities the opportunity to showcase and explore their artistic talents.

“We feel this initiative shows that art belongs to everyone, including people with disabilities,” Restu said.

The event featured a series of batik pieces made by blind artisans who had received training from the Malang Social Rehabilitation Technical Implementation Unit for the Blind.

It also included a collaborative performance by a Western Australian experimental post-rock and sound-art group and East Javanese musicians.

The provincial government hopes similar events can continue, providing people with disabilities with a platform for their creative work.

“We will try to make this a regular event. I hope it will involve not only blind people but also people with other disabilities, and that it will continue,” she said.

Restu said the areas covered by the wider cooperation include education and agriculture.

“This is our first collaboration in the creative arts, involving music, batik and other things. Tonight’s event is for people with disabilities; we want to provide access to the creative sector,” Bryce said.

He also said the event introduced the quokka, a marsupial native to Western Australia, to the public.

The animal was not brought to the venue; instead, it was depicted in batik painted by disabled artists and in an image on a replica entrance gate at the site.

“There is an island called Rottnest Island, where an animal called the quokka lives. We are introducing it here, while Indonesia has batik,” he said.