Cin Hapsari Tomoidjojo

is a writer and self-taught artist who loves drawing, composing, and inquiring. She always lives on the edge of contrasting colors and naive forms. Sometimes, Cinh enjoys simple solitude, and other times she dances with a gaggle of fantasies that criticize each other. She often feels guided by the gift of courage to ask questions or to oppose, which fuels her love for exploration—so much that she sometimes sinks into formlessness. Cinh will always be like that; living in the in-between.

So, it won't surprise you to come across her other works—documentaries, poetry, short stories, and drama scripts that she has brought to life. She has published books and won awards for her plays. Additionally, she has exhibited her paintings at select events. In her artwork, Cinh often speaks about the invisible layers of human inner struggles, the tug-of-war of the mind, that always fights against itself. Sometimes, her work is also filled with metaphors and esoteric symbols from traditional cultures that appear through the innocent scribble of childhood.

Recently, Cinh started to get involved in mental health issues, studying complex trauma, patterns present in the folds of memory as well as the dark nights of life, and became a candidate for psychoanalyst at the Indonesian Institute of Psychoanalysis.

Above all, Cinh always believes that art is the soul that expresses itself.

Achievements

• 2007: Mixed media artwork NN: Neo Nation or Nomen Nascio? selected for the Jogja Art Biennale IX 2007 / Neo-Nation (collaborative work with Y. Untara).

• 2007: Script Rembang Senja awarded runner-up in the National Drama Script Writing Competition by Pusat Bahasa-Departemen Pendidikan Nasional during Bulan Sastra dan Bahasa.

• 2005: Selected as one of the top 3 in the Women's Playwright Workshop by the Jakarta Art Council in the event Women on the Indonesian Stage: Seeking Women's Voices on the Indonesian Stage with the script Kinjeng Tanpa Soca.

• 2005: Participant in the Writing Program by the Southeast Asian Literary Council (Majelis Sastra Asia Tenggara/MASTERA): Drama, with the script Mangsa Pada.

Books Published

• Sesuatu yang Indah: Sepenggal Semesta dalam Cerita, House of Metta, 2020.

• Life Purpose Oracle Book: 77 Inspirasi dalam Meraih Tujuan Hidup, co-authored with Intuitive Coaching Trainers, Intergra Institute, 2020.

• Surat Kartini, poetry anthology organized by Asosiasi Seni Kreasi Perempuan, 2013.

• Jejak Jawa-Cina-Islam: Politik Identitas dalam Tradisi Lisan Jawa Safar Cina Sajadah, Wedatama Widya Sastra, 2012.

• "Dragon Fly Without Eyes" in Playwriting Workshop: Three Selected Plays, Jakarta Art Council, for The 7th International Woman Playwright, Dewan Kesenian Jakarta (DKJ), 2006.

• Kinjeng Tanpa Soca in Tiga Naskah Drama, Hasil Lokakarya Perempuan Penulis Naskah Drama, Dewan Kesenian Jakarta (DKJ), 2005.

• In Memoriam Dies Natalis in Atjeh, Sebuah Kesaksian Penyair (Aceh, A Poet's Testimony), Komunitas Puisi Bersaksi, Galang Press, 2005.

Exhibitions and Illustrations

• Book Cover Designs: Designed covers for several works of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, Gede Prama, Hudaya Kandahjaya, etc., for Karaniya Publisher, including Jalur Tua Awan Putih, Kekuatan Doa, Milarepa, Kitab Suci San Hyang Kamahayanikan, Pertanyaan Sederhana Jawaban Indah, Jakarta.

• 2009: Djathayuputeradewa (illustrated story in collaboration with Y. Untara), exhibited online by Berita Seni.

• 2001: Suara-suara (small-scale solo painting exhibition) in collaboration with Teater Gutta.

Performances

• 2009: Poetry reading Shalawat Bhumi for Earth Day with Warga Hijau in collaboration with Yayasan Peduli Hutan Indonesia (YPHI), Cibubur.

• 2008: International Group Performance Art Festival, Harmoni Kitakah, with Santo Klingon in Perfurbance #4 2008 Global Warming! Global Warning!!, Desa Krinjing, Lereng Merapi.

• 2005: In Memoriam Dies Natalis poetry musicalization with Damar Drana in the event Atjeh, Sebuah Kesaksian Penyair.