Urip Iku Urup

As part of Clarion Alley Mural Project’s international exchange & residency with Yogyakarta Indonesia Bangkit/Arise, Megan Wilson created the mural Urip Iku Urup in Desa Panggungharjo on CV Berjaya, a shop that sells ceramic bath & kitchen fixtures and tile flooring. Wilson had support and worked with Bang Toyib, Nurohmad, Nano Warsono, Vina Puspita, and Harind Arvati.

Megan Wilson painted one mural on the ceramiks shop - CV Berjaya. The overall design, including the flowers, butterflies, cats, rays, and color selection, was created by Wilson.

The text - 'Urip Iku Urup' refers to the Javanese philosophy that was taught by Sunan Kalijaga or Sunan Kalijogo, a figure of Wali Songo (revered saints of Islam in Indonesia) who is closely related to Muslims in Java, because of his ability to incorporate Islamic influences into Javanese tradition. The belief is that Life is like a light or flame that should benefit others around us, the greater the benefits that we can provide, the better for all. This phrase/philosophy was chosen at an evening get-together with Megan, Vina Puspita, Hari Ndarvati, and Sino based on Wilson’s impressions of Desa Panggungharjo after the meeting with Mayor Pak Wahyudi Anggoro Hadi.

Bang Toyib designed and painted the fonts for the Javanese and Bahasa and did the ornamentation in the Urip ray. Toyib was also Wilson’s assistant artist and assisted her with painting the overall mural.

Nano Warsono painted the Javanese script and Toyib and Megan collaborated on the ornamentation in the Javanese script and Bahasa Indonesian rays.

Master batik artist Nurohmad designed and painted the batik ornamentation in silver in the burgundy and blue rays.

Map of CV Berjaya - 440 Jalan Bantul, Desa Panggungharjo, Yogyakara, Indonesia