Seruni

I wanted to reframe the chrysanthemum as a cross-cultural symbol that connects stories from Java and the world. In both Europe and Asia, chrysanthemums are associated with hope and prosperity, often used in celebrating the Lunar New Year. But I wanted to explore its meaning further.

It is difficult to find visual references in classical works that portray Javanese women engaged in reading or writing. Yet historically, women in the Javanese Royal Palace during the pre-colonial era were active in the literary arts. While exploring 19th-century visual archives, I discovered the work of Margaret Neilson Armstrong, a botanical illustrator and book designer known for her Art Nouveau style and her sensitivity in capturing feminine energy through plant forms.

Seruni is the name for this flower. This edition is an effort to present the image of the Javanese woman as curious, intelligent, and strong through visuals that are simple, yet layered with meaning.
The motif reflects an authentic kind of elegance, making it part of an ongoing visual exploration within the Made in Java series.