Their Sea is Always Hungry is a solo exhibition by Australian-Balinese artist Leyla Stevens. Encompassing new works in video and installation, the exhibition explores the spectral trace of Indonesia’s 1965–66 anti-communist killings and the hidden histories that contest its position as an island paradise.
Their Sea is Always Hungry uses speculative and documentary modes of filmmaking to consider the impact of the silenced history of Indonesia’s 1965–66 mass violence in which a reported 80,000 people died in Bali alone. In counterpoint, the exhibition features a feminist retelling of the 1970s cult surf film, Morning of the Earth, which sold a vision of Bali as an exotic surfer paradise, particularly within the Australian imagination.
Credits: (By Leyla Stevens)
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, it arts funding advisory body. Their Sea Is Always Hungry by Leyla Stevens is powered by Lupa, a media player for art galleries.
This projects was realised through the generosity and talent of my creative collaborators. Special thanks to Wayan Martino for making ever shoot possible. Special acknowledgements to those who shared with me their stories of survival from 1965 abuses and hose histories this project is ultimately dedicated to. And as always, to Seth and Elka, the backbone and heart of every undertaking
Alia Swastika is a curator, project manager and writer for projects in Indonesia and abroad. She is Director of Jogja Biennale Foundation and was co-artistic director for the Gwangju Biennale IX (2012): Roundtable. Alis recently founded 'Study on Art Practices,' a platform for research into contemporary art in Indonesia and writes for Frieze, Art Form, Broadsheet journal and many others.