Ida Lawrence
Australia
Ida Lawrence is an Indonesian-Australian visual artist who lived in Yogyakarta from 2010 to 2013 and currently resides in Sydney, Australia. In her artistic practice, Lawrence explores the narratives embedded within objects, investigating both real and fictional stories to examine cultural exchange, personal memories, and colonial histories. Drawing inspiration from everyday items—such as souvenirs (oleh-oleh), fruit baskets, duster tools, and found materials—she creates playful assemblages, sculptures, and mixed-media installations. Her work muses on what individuals take, understand, and retain from different geographic places, bridging perspectives between tourists, researchers, and artists across borders.
Lawrence held her first artist residency and solo exhibition at Tembi Rumah Budaya in 2012. Since then, she has presented ten solo exhibitions, including JANGAN LUPA BAWA OLEH-OLEH YA at REDBASE Foundation Yogyakarta (2018), and completed residencies in Japan, Malaysia, and Australia. Her work has been featured in notable international group exhibitions, including the 15th Asian Art Biennale at the National Academy of Fine and Performing Arts in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Sculpture by the Sea in Sydney, Australia.
Jangan Lupa Bawa Oleh-oleh Ya
Solo Exhibition - 6 January – 8 February, 2018
REDBASE Foundation Indonesia
Ida Lawrence
Jangan Lupa Bawa Oleh-oleh Ya explores the culture of souvenir-giving and the hidden emotions behind it when we travel. On one hand, oleh-oleh is a warm way to show love, respect, and to let people know they were in our thoughts. On the other hand, it can feel like a heavy chore. Many travelers struggle with strict social expectations, limited budgets, the fear of picking the wrong gift, or funny cross-cultural mix-ups—like translation errors or trouble at airport customs
Bringing together personal stories, chats, and reflections from Indonesian and Australian voices, this project questions our habit of buying cheap, mass-produced items that just turn into clutter. Instead, it invites us to look at oleh-oleh differently. A souvenir doesn't have to be a store-bought item; it can be a collected rock, a photograph, a fun story, or a shared memory. After all, the real value of traveling isn't the stuff we carry home, but the bonds we keep with the people we care about.
Collactebles Assemblage 100 cm x 100 cm, 2018
Good Intention I Fruit basket, cling wrap, tape 33 cm x 39 cm x 29 cm, 2018
Good Intention II Rafia, wire, enamel, glue 33 cm x 39 cm x 29 cm, 2017
Indonesian History (A New Chapter) Inkjet print on archival paper 100 cm x 100 cm, 2018
Souvenirs From A Lane Near Tirtodipuran Street Pigment print on archival paper on aluminium | Cement, acrylic, sawdust and pencil on stone 42 cm x 63 cm | 14 cm x 13 cm, 2018
Souvenirs From Central Java Pigment print on archival paper on aluminium | Acrylic and pencil on plywood 42 cm x 63 cm | 73 cm x 79 cm, 2018
Souvenirs From Krakal Beach Print on plastic banner | Enamel on bamboo 111 cm x 199 cm | 69 cm x 97 cm & 33 cm x 51 cm, 2018
Souvenirs From Yogya (Melati Lane) Pigment print on archival paper on aluminium | Acrylic, cement and pencil on plywood 42 cm x 63 cm | 59 cm x 63 cm, 2018
Souvenirs From Yogya (REDBASE) Print on plastic banner 144 cm x 140 cm, 2018
Souvenirs From Yogya (Sewon) Pigment print on archival paper on aluminium | Acrylic, cement and pencil on plywood 42 cm x 63 cm | 59 cm x 63 cm, 2018
Souvenirs From Yogya (Solo Road) Pigment print on archival paper on aluminium | Acrylic, cement and enamel on plywood (2 pcs) 42 cm x 63 cm | 93 cm x 143 cm, 2018
Souvenirs From Yogya (Tamansiswa Street) Pigment print on archival paper on aluminium | Acrylic and cement on plywood 42 cm x 58 cm | 50 cm x 80 cm, 2018
Stolen Poles Enamel and acrylic on bamboo | Inkjet on archival paper Variable dimension | 100 cm x 100 cm, 2018