Born in Sentani, Papua, Betty Adii makes drawings, paintings and installations that offer sharp yet thoughtful commentaries on the social and political contexts in Papua, with a particular emphasis on the issue of gender-based violence. Her work for Sharjah Biennial 16, A Legacy of Resistance (Are you really listening?) (2024), extends the artist’s ongoing investigation on the impact of food politics on women.

Papua currently faces the threat of calamitous deforestation as the government plans to convert forests into agricultural plantations. This move would sever local women from their own organic farming practices, as well as from their ancestral land. In her painting, Betty uses natural pigments sourced from the forest of Papua, combined with barkcloth created by artists from Sentani, to depict how the ‘invisible hand’ of capitalism shapes the everyday life of these women.

Composer Septina Layan responds to Betty’s work with voices of lamentation that channel the Papuan mothers as they mourn the loss of their forests and the connection with their ancestors.

A Legacy of Resistance (Are you really listening?) is commissioned by Sharjah Art Foundation.

Director - Magdi Emad Camera Operators -  / ward_helal  ,  / shefeek_sha_nk  ,  / alialfadly1   Editor - Magdi Emad Sound Design -  / unnikrishnan.sb   Production Manager -  / dimzyb   Assistant Director -  / unnikrishnan.sb