The Birth of Kanjeng Ratu by Ula Zuhra

The Birth of Kanjeng Ratu is Ula's interpretation of Botticelli's The Birth of Venus. She draws parallels between Venus and Indonesian sea goddess Nyi Roro Kidul. While both figures are known for their beauty and aquatic abodes, Venus is commonly portrayed as being born from the sea, while Nyi Roro Kidul's life ends in the sea.

Known as the mythical spiritual consort of the Sultans of Mataram and Yogyakarta, the legend of Nyi Roro Kidul lives on to this day. Indonesians remain wary of the south seas, holding annual rituals to please her in hopes of increasing their harvests. The most pervasive folklore belief surrounding Nyi Roro Kidul involves the colour aqua green (known locally as gadhung m'lathi), which is her most favoured colour and thus forbidden to wear along the southern coast of Java – it is believed that she will drag you into her underwater kingdom if you do.

Art Print Details:

Giclée Fine Art Print (SGD 300)

Limited edition of 100, hand-numbered, unframed
310gsm Textured Fine Art Paper (100% Cotton, Acid-Free, Archival)
42 x 59.4cm (A2)

Artist Bio:

Ula Zuhra Soenharjo is a freelance illustrator and designer who also works as a freelance art curator and exhibitions manager in a Jakarta-based art advisory. She graduated from Universitas Pelita Harapan with a major in Art and Design in 2016.
Ula's major influences come from her love of campy horror movies of the 1980s, female sexuality, and erotic literature.

@ulazuhra