“Puan is a coming-of-age performance exploring self-identity and womanhood as a young Indonesian woman. Back home in Indonesia, things exist in a binary. You’re either A or B – but you better be A. This philosophy is deeply reflected in Indonesian beauty standards, favouring Eurocentric features and lighter skin tones. It was embedded in our culture and media. As someone who is not the Asian beauty standard, I have felt displaced most of my life. When you’re told your body is wrong, you start to wonder if your existence is valid. However, my past informs my present. I wouldn’t be able to tell this story without going through those tribulations. I’m glad I could find the help and healing I needed to bring me to this place and create this project.”

ELVINA RAHARJA (she/they) is a multi-disciplinary artist who works in dance, fashion, and film. Their artistry strives for conscious and intentional creation, stemming from their experiences as a Southeast Asian immigrant and mindfulness practices.