In Central Java, an eco-resort aims to build sustainability through creativity

Andy Sri Wahyudi, known as Andy SW, displayed surreal clay sculptures in an exhibition called *Fables* at Yabbiekayu, an eco-friendly resort in Central Java’s Bantul Regency. The show ran from December 13, 2025, to January 13, 2026, blending art with nature—some pieces were placed outdoors among foliage—to explore themes tied to the natural world. Wahyudi cited childhood influences from the ninth-century Mendut Temple’s reliefs, which conveyed messages about caring for nature and disasters. Yabbiekayu, founded by Indonesian Bakti Widiarti and Australian Dave Hodgkin, operates as a sustainable social enterprise on 2.8 hectares. It includes a gallery, arts center, and garden, aiming to merge cultural activities with environmentally conscious development. The resort’s founders launched Ruang Karya Harmoni, an arts foundation supporting local crafts like batik, ceramics, and shadow puppetry, in partnership with grassroots organizations. The first residency hosted by the foundation, Wahyudi’s month-long stay, marked a milestone for the village of Tembi, which dates back to the 16th century. Historically, Tembi was a royal education hub under the Mataram Sultanate, teaching martial arts, philosophy, and traditional arts. In April, the village hosted the *Bersemi Tembi Eco-Creative Festival*, featuring 40 local artists and performances. Located 8 kilometers south of Yogyakarta, Yabbiekayu sits within the Special Region of Yogyakarta, governed by the Yogyakarta Sultanate. Sultan Hamengkubuwono X has promoted cultural revival through traditional Javanese arts to foster local development and international relations. The resort’s mission aligns with this cultural awakening, positioning art as a tool for sustainability and resilience against natural disasters like volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.