"Warriors – Warriors is a photo series exploring the cultural definition of warriors within the Indonesian archipelago. Historically, Indonesia consists of multiple islands that have their own kingdoms. One of the more powerful kingdoms was known as Majapahit Empire which lasted for around 200 years from 1293-1527. There is a ritual that warriors go through before fighting in battle. The weapons specifically the keris are built by master shamans and attached with the spirit world to imbue magic and grants invincibility in battle for those who wield it.
This project is a modern interpretation of how the ancestral warriors would present as and the special relationship between the wielder and their weapons. The swords presented here are hand made by a local craftsman (@pinkygurl_bali). She visualizes different versions of what a weapon could mean and it acts as an art object along with its known context. Through this project – I imagine the warriors' bravery, their loyalty, their love, their strength and their love for one another.
I dive deeper into my native history with this exploration and my excitement and interest in mythology; that is very much potent in the island of Bali."
PHOTO SERIES BY ELIZABETH WIRIJA
