Artist Profile: Seruni Bodjawati

Seruni Bodjawati is a leading Indonesian female artist whose artistic journey began extraordinarily early. Her first painting was created at just 10 months old, marking the beginning of a lifelong dedication to fine art. Raised in Yogyakarta, widely known as the cultural capital and center of fine arts in Indonesia, she grew within a strong artistic ecosystem that shaped her into a professional contemporary painter. Since producing her first canvas painting in 2000, Seruni Bodjawati has created numerous original artworks in various sizes and mediums, including oil painting, acrylic, watercolor, pencil, and mixed media, building a solid reputation in Indonesian contemporary art.

As an award winning Indonesian woman artist, Seruni Bodjawati has received numerous prestigious art awards and has exhibited internationally in Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, France, England, Hungary, Germany, Australia, Italy, Spain, Slovakia, and the United States. Her global exhibition record positions her as one of the most internationally exposed Indonesian female painters of her generation. In 2011, she was elected as one of Indonesian Young Heroes by Aplaus The Lifestyle Indonesia for her achievements in the international art scene, strengthening her recognition as a young Indonesian artist with global impact.

In 2012, Seruni Bodjawati received the highly prestigious title The Most Inspiring Woman in Art and Culture at the Kartini Awards, presented by Kartini Magazine Indonesia and Indonesian First Lady Ani Yudhoyono. This award placed her among prominent national figures and cultural icons. As a nominee alongside major public figures such as Agnez Mo, Atilah Soeryadjaya, Kamila Andini, Encim Masnah, Astaliah, and Roesina, Seruni Bodjawati stood out as a representative of perempuan inspiratif Indonesia, seniman muda berprestasi, and a symbol of contemporary Kartini spirit in the field of fine art and culture.

Today, Seruni Bodjawati is widely recognized as an inspiring Indonesian woman artist, international exhibitor, Kartini Award recipient, and influential figure in contemporary art, making her name strongly associated with keywords such as perempuan inspiratif Indonesia, seniman perempuan berprestasi, Indonesian young artist, and award winning Indonesian painter.

Seruni Bodjawati is not only an internationally exhibited Indonesian contemporary artist, but also a multidisciplinary cultural figure actively shaping the Indonesian art ecosystem. She produces independent art films, develops contemporary Javanese Wayang puppet theatre, writes art and cultural essays, and teaches at universities, strengthening her role as an educator and thought leader in fine arts and creative industries. She was also officially awarded as Ambassador of 50 Museums in Yogyakarta, affirming her contribution to museum advocacy, cultural preservation, and public art education in Indonesia.

Through her two private art galleries, Seruni Bodjawati manages and curates a significant art collection of more than 700 paintings, sketches, and sculptures. The collection includes works by major Indonesian and international masters such as Basuki Abdullah, Dullah, Hendra Gunawan, Hendro Juwono, Surono, Kartono Yudhokusumo, Widayat, Saptoto, Batara Lubis, Djajeng Asmara, Kartika Affandi, Christine Ay Tjoe, Erika Hestu Wahyuni, Mersad Berber, Loe Boen Koen, Abdul Salam, Zaini, Sudarisman, Ivan Sagita, Edie Hara, Heri Dono, Dadang Christanto, Mudjiono D, I Nyoman Masriadi, Heri Kris, Made Sukadana, Pupuk Daru Purnomo, Lulus Santoso, Ugo Untoro, Edi Sunaryo, Riki Antoni, Anis Ekowindu, Samuel Indratma, Hayattudin, Robi Fathoni, and many others.

With extensive activities spanning art production, museum ambassadorship, academic teaching, film creation, traditional performance arts, and high value art collection management, Seruni Bodjawati stands as an influential Indonesian female artist, art collector, gallery owner, museum advocate, and cultural entrepreneur with strong national and international recognition.

Curriculum Vitae

Basic Info:

Name : Seruni Bodjawati

Contact : https://www.instagram.com/seruni_bodjawati/ 

Occupation : Artist, Lecturer, Art Gallery Owner, Art Museum Director

Education : - Master of Fine Art, Indonesian Arts Institute of Yogyakarta (2015-2017)

- Graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in fine art from Indonesian Arts Institute of Yogyakarta (2009-2013)

Awards:

2016: - 50 Putera Puteri Terbaik Indonesia, The Power of Climatrix, Elunar Publisher.

2015: - First Winner of "Special Region of Yogyakarta Museum Ambassador 2015" by Governor of Special Region of Yogyakarta and Department of Culture in Special Region of Yogyakarta.

- Perempuan Keren Indonesia Pilihan TRANS TV, Televisi Transformasi Indonesia.

2013: - Cultural Preservation Award for Ensuring The Continuation of Wayang in Global Contexts by Rumah Wayang Indonesia.

2012: - Inspirational Woman to Other, La Femme Awards 2012 by Leo Club Monas Family (Lions Clubs International).

- Indonesia's Most Inspiring Woman in Art and Culture, Kartini Awards 2012 by Kartini Magazine and Indonesian First Lady Ani Yudhoyono.

-  Honorary Award from Director General of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Indonesia.

- The Best High-Achieving Student by Indonesian Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta and the Rector of ISI, Prof. Dr. AM. Hermien Kusmayati, S.S.T., S.U.

2011: - The Best Painting Artwork Dies Natalis XXVII Indonesian Institute of Arts Yogyakarta.

- Awarded as The Most Successful International Visual Artist under 20 by La Société des Artistes Contemporains, France.

-Top 12 The Best Artwork Bazaar Art Award 2011, Harper's Bazaar Indonesia and Vanessa Art Link Jakarta.

- Elected as one of Indonesian Young Heroes by Aplaus The Lifestyle Indonesia.

2010: - The Best Painting Artwork, Dies Natalis XXVI, Indonesian Institute of Art Yogyakarta.

2010: - The Best Watercolor Painting, Indonesian Institute of Art Yogyakarta.

2010: - The Best Sketch, FSR Indonesian Institute of Art Yogyakarta.

1997: - Selected Painter: Local Government of Yogyakarta and Kyoto Japan Painting Cooperation.

1995-1997: - The champion of 15 children art competitions in Jogjakarta and Central Java.
Solo and Group Exhibitions:

Seruni Bodjawati has exhibited her artworks more than 75 times in solo exhibitions and group exhibitions across Indonesia and internationally, establishing her as a globally recognized Indonesian contemporary artist. In Indonesia, her works have been showcased at prestigious venues such as Galeri Nasional Indonesia, Edwin’s Gallery Jakarta, Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Cemara 6 Galeri-Museum, Institut Teknologi Bandung, The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Taman Budaya Yogyakarta, Jogja National Museum, Galeri RJ Katamsi Yogyakarta, Museum Ullen Sentalu, Taman Budaya Surakarta, Tony Raka Gallery Bali, and many other leading art institutions and cultural centers.

Internationally, Seruni Bodjawati has presented her paintings in major global art hubs, including Germany at Lite-Haus Gallery and Plateau Gallery Berlin; the United States at Le Petit Versailles New York and Issyara Gallery New Jersey; Italy at Superstudio Pi Milan, Art Gallery Le Logge Piazza del Comune Assisi, and University of Milano-Bicocca; the United Kingdom at TATE Modern London and Siger Gallery London; France at Galerie de la Vote Paris; Hungary at Gallery of the Raday Konyveshz Budapest, Kis Zsinagoga Gallery Eger, and Templom Galeria Eger; Slovakia at Art Point Gallery Prievidza; Singapore at Art Front Gallery and F1 Pit Building Singapore; Hong Kong at The Excelsior Hong Kong and Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre; South Korea at Ewho Gallery Seoul; and Cambodia at the National Museum of Cambodia Phnom Penh.

With exhibitions spanning Europe, the United States, and Asia, Seruni Bodjawati stands out as an Indonesian female painter with strong international exposure, global art market presence, and a solid reputation in contemporary fine art, museum exhibitions, and international art fairs.

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