Rona: Erna Pirous

Amidst a cohort of Indonesian modernist artists preoccupied with grand narratives anchored in universal truths— from spirituality and national identity to socio-political critique and even attempts to define the very essence of art— Erna Pirous emerged as an exception. Her artistic practice is rooted in mundane ideas drawn from her everyday experiences, a commitment she has sustained consistently since 1962, when she began her studies at the Faculty of Fine Arts at ITB.

In 1970, she received a scholarship in Painting from the French government to study at L’École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris. Later, in 1991, she was awarded a grant through the Indonesian Women Program, allowing her to travel and visit exhibition spaces, studios, and symposia. Even in her practice today, grand narratives are approached with deep personal intimacy – as though speaking quietly to herself. Nevertheless, all her works radiate brightness and optimism, offering joy to anyone who encounters them.