In this episode, we’re going to talk about the many lives of Emiria Sunassa, a pioneer of Indonesian modern art, who was also a nurse, singer, pianist, and traveler, who claimed to be a princess of the Tidore sultanate. Emiria was one of only three female artists in Persatuan Ahli Gambar Indonesia (PERSAGI). The other two were Saptarita Latif and Tridjoto Abdullah. However, in contrast to the two other women artists, Emiria started painting individually. She was not linked to any nationalist movements before she became involved with art.

PERSAGI's nationalistic vigour came from an unmistakably masculine perspective; most of the paintings represented common subject matter: self-portraitures, still-lifes and, most importantly, the portrayal of the Indonesian people during and after the revolutionary period - and yet they were limited to the island of Java. Emiria’s choice of subject matter offered a different perspective of the new nation. - Dr Wulan Dirgantoro in Feminisms and Contemporary Art in Indonesia

If you want to join the Patreon, you can give as little as $1 to get a copy of the show notes with all the references, a shout out at the end of the next episode, and access to bonus episodes. We have:

1. Nyai Gede Pinateh, the Harbour Master of Gresik;
2. An interview with Haldi Patra on the Minangkabau matriarchal society;
3. Ma Ying Taphan and the Krom Klone;
4. Queen Suriyothai and the War Elephants;
5. Paz Marquez Benitez and Dead Stars;
6. The Rise and Fall of the Acehnese Queens, 1641 to 1699; and
7. The Women of No. 14 Lebuh Leith

Thank you to our patrons: Aqilah, Karen, Kheiro, Xiaomei BY Milish, Jennifer, Christina, Raul, Raymond, Matt, Shereen, Charli, and Yati. Aqilah joined the Patreon just last month so, welcome!

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There are so many more stories to tell and we’re just getting started. This podcast was hosted and edited by Agas Ramirez.

Tracks:

• Theme Music: Goddess of War by Unicorn Heads
• Violet Spirit by Dan Henig
• Tanah Papua: A Paradise for Birds by Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• No.1 A Minor Waltz by Esther Abrami
• Papua New Guinea - Enga Traditional Music (197?) - Vinyl Reincarnation 
• Greater Bird-of-Paradise by Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• Dolphin-esque by Godmode