“MERDEKA DALAM…” First photo exhibition in london

I've been passionate about photography since I was a kid. However, there was a period of three to four years when I didn’t have a camera in my life. Then, one day, I stumbled upon a second-hand camera shop and spotted a Yashica FX-3 film camera. The moment I looked through the viewfinder, I was hooked. The camera body was still in great condition, and the lens was stunning. I vividly remember that moment in 2016, the year my curiosity for street and film photography truly blossomed.

“I started focusing on capturing candid moments that held deeper meanings, discovering angles that resonated with my unique perspective, and developing a style gradually.”

That Yashica FX-3 became my constant companion. I took it everywhere—whether I was at university, traveling, wandering through different cities, or even going abroad. It was with me when friends asked me to capture their moments together, which challenged me to push my creative boundaries. I started focusing on capturing candid moments that held deeper meanings, discovering angles that resonated with my unique perspective, and developing a style gradually.

Over the years, I’ve dedicated myself to photographing the faces and places of my homeland, Indonesia. On some previous Indonesian Independence Days, I aimed to capture the essence of freedom by photographing people participating in local competitions. For me, Independence Day is more than just a celebration—it’s a time for reflection. I took that opportunity to explore what freedom means to me and to my country. Are we truly independent? How far have we come in freeing ourselves from biased thinking? As I looked back on this year’s Independence Day, these questions lingered: Is my country truly free, or are we slowly slipping back into the past?

With a collection of photographs taken from 2017 to 2024, I curated my first photo exhibition in London, titled "Merdeka Dalam..." or "Independent in...". This series reflects my personal journey toward independence in various aspects of life, all captured through the lens of my beloved Yashica FX-3. Through this exhibition, I invite the audience to explore the diverse narratives within my photographs, encouraging them to reflect on the true meaning of freedom.

Merdeka Dalam Rekam Memori | Independent in Documenting Memories (Ektar 100, 2018)

Merdeka Dalam Berpakaian | Independent in Getting Dressed (Kodak 200, 2023)

Merdeka Dalam Beraksi | Independent in Taking Action (Lomo 400, 2019)

Merdeka Dalam Bertanggung Jawab | Independent in Taking Responsibilities (Ilford XP2 Super, 2017)

Merdeka Dalam Keselamatan | Independent in Safety (Kodak Colorplus 200, 2024)

Merdeka Dalam Realita, Tegak Seutuhnya | Independent in Reality (Ilford XP2 Super, 2017)

The exhibition was initiated by my amazing friend, Salsabila Andriana, who studied Narrative Environments at the University of the Arts London. As a proud Indonesian, Salsabila is passionate about providing a platform for Indonesian artists and creators to showcase their work, particularly in connection with this year’s Independence Day. My show was part of the "Dari & Untuk Ibu Pertiwi" exhibition at Pesta Rakyat Indonesia in London, August 2024.