SAPU is the creative business division of Komunitas TUK– Tanam Untuk Kehidupan (Planting for Life). TUK is an Indonesian activist art collective based in Salatiga, Central Java, that raises environmental awareness in the local community via creative practice. TUK runs arts and environmental workshops, creates fantastic recycled products made from trash, runs a reforestation program, an environmental publications program and an art and music festival called Festival Mata Air (2006 – 2016).

We believe that to plant an environmental ideology is as important as planting trees itself. We use creative practice to share knowledge about our local and global environment. Our campaign aims to make people start THINKING! This is where the process of changes begin. 

A 2-day festival with approximately 10,000 guests and participants including staged events, an exhibition, workshops, a bazaar and environmental information stands, reforestation, theatre performances, installations and water games.

An 8-day festival with approximately 20,000 visitors and participants. Activities included staged events, exhibitions, workshops, an environmental forum, a street bazaar and environmental information stands, a children’s drawing competition, theatre performances, installations and water games.

A 3-day festival with approximately 10,000 visitors and over 1200 participants directly involved. Activities included a street parade with the theme of costumes from trash, staged events, exhibitions, environmental & art workshops, environmental information stands, children’s collaborative drawing, street murals, theatre performances and installations from trash.

An exhibition and children’s workshops at Pine Street Creative Arts Centre in Sydney from January 8th – 29th 2007. This was part of Gang Festival 2007. I was involved in curating the show & organising visiting international artists from Salatiga, Jogjakarta, and Blora to be part of this show.

SUSUH (Nest) was a group show of TUK’s artists and visiting Australian artist Natalie Kunst. Natalie joined Komunitas TUK for a 4 week workshop & residency in Salatiga, and introduced new creative techniques and skills to TUK’s local artists. With skills in basket making and weaving, Natalie worked collaboratively with TUK to create a series of birds nests from reeds, bamboo and other natural and waste products. Artworks created from these workshops were developed and formed part of the installations at FMA 2009.

A return to Senjoyo, FMA 2009 was certainly another amazing event. A 3-day festival with approximately 15,000 visitors and over 1200 participants directly involved. Activities included a street parade with the theme of costumes from trash, staged events, regional forum on water sustainability, exhibitions, environmental & art workshops, environmental information stands, children’s collaborative drawing, street murals, theatre performances and installations from trash.