Dive into Arta Derau’s Mermaid-Inspired World
Picture this: a mermaid who doesn’t vanish into sea foam for love, but instead rises from the waves with a fierce sense of self-authority. This is the world that Sekarputi, the artist behind Arta Derau’s signature mermaid ceramics, wants to create. Along with her team, she invites us into their collection of functional ceramic art pieces—ranging from cutlery and vases to much more—all inspired by the mythical allure of mermaids. But forget the Disney-fied damsel waiting for her prince; Sekarputi’s mermaids are bold, autonomous, and deeply rooted in tradition while breaking free from colonial constraints.
Today, Sekarputi is not only a ceramic based visual artist but also one of the founders and the driving force behind Ruang Arta Derau (RAD) in Tegallalang. But before that, one of her earliest complete body of work is this mermaid collection, and it’s way before her move to Bali in 2018. Sekarputi’s mermaids draws from the hauntingly beautiful story of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid (yes, the OG version), where love leads to sacrifice, and the mermaid dissolves into sea foam.
But Sekarputi’s mermaids don’t fade away. Instead, they symbolize self-autonomy and self-authority, a statement about independence and determination that came from oneselves. These mermaids don’t need a prince charming to define their worth; they are the heroes and protagonists of their own stories. Truly, this reimagining of the mermaid narrative is not just a creative choice but a bold commentary on modern femininity and autonomy.
If we’re talking about the color palette, all mermaid pieces are reminiscent of traditional ceramics—soft whites and oceanic-cobalt blue, a timeless combination. But don’t be fooled by the familiar hues; the designs are anything but conventional. The pletat-pletot (wonky) shapes of her mermaid spoons and vases add a playful, almost rebellious twist to the classic ceramic form. This was especially groundbreaking back then, when independent ceramic studios were still rare, and the ceramic scene was dominated by mass-produced, factory-made pieces rather than small-batch, one-of-a-kind creations. So, we can say that this intentional wonky imperfection challenges the polished, colonized aesthetics of traditional ceramics, creating a fresh and new visual language.
The Mermaid Collection: Sekarputi’s first complete body of work, which she started in Bandung nearly 20 years ago, where her journey of blending tradition, whimsy, and self-authority began.
True, through this particular collection, Arta Derau invites us to embrace mermaids who are fierce, independent, and full on with personality. Think cutlery that doubles as a statement piece and versatile functions, vases that tell stories, and ceramics that are as functional as they are fantastical. But don’t expect your typical polished, princess-y vibes—Arta Derau’s mermaids are wonky, whimsical, and unapologetically them.
Mermaid ceramic bowls. With their classic white and blue colors, these mermaid bowls stay true to traditional ceramic vibes but bring a fresh twist to the table.
Notice how the mermaids aren’t perfectly shaped like the ones you usually see in fairy tales? That’s the point. These mermaids are all about pushing boundaries and redefining what “ideal” really means. They’re here to remind us that beauty isn’t about being flawless—it’s about embracing who you are, as you are, and feeling comfortable in your own skin. It’s about knowing you’re enough, just as you are, and feeling pretty on your own terms. In a world that often tells women how they should look, these mermaids are a quiet but powerful nod to self-love and feminism.
The creative process is as fascinating as the pieces themselves. It all began with the Mermaid Spoon, a ceramic utensil that blurs the line between art and functionality. This piece isn’t just a spoon; it’s a narrative. It tells a story of transformation, resilience, and beauty in imperfection. The spoon’s design stands out boldly from the usual ceramic pieces you’d find, filling a gap with something fresh and unique by blending beautiful aesthetics and storytelling.
And it didn’t stop at spoons. Over time, it evolved, blending with other signature Arta Derau elements like rainbows, whimsical girls’ faces, and even the recent addition of a coquette mermaid. The studio’s move to Bali breathed even more life into their work, infusing it with the island’s creative energy and skilled craftsmanship. This shift marked the beginning of the studio’s journey into crafting one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces, each filled with personality and artistry.
The spoons that started it all—playful, wonky, and full of personality, just like the mermaids they’re inspired by.
Indeed, the move to Bali further fueled its evolution, allowing the mermaid collection to branch out and serve as a prototype for future works. Each new collection that followed carried the same spirit of breaking free from traditional conventions. This approach to design and storytelling has become the studio’s distinctive feature, proving that ceramics can be both functional and deeply expressive.
So, it could be said that the mermaid collection was the spark that ignited Ruang Arta Derau’s rise in the ceramic scene. With its bold reimagining of traditional forms and its playful charm, the collection quickly became a signature of the studio, setting it apart from the mass-produced ceramics that was dominating the market.
Sekarputi’s Mermaid collection is a reminder that art doesn’t have to choose between form and function—it can be both. Just like oneselves.