Keeping the Peace
New Outlooks on the Sumatra-Salem Friendship
During a recent conversation surrounding the image of the Sumatran figure in the Salem City Seal in Salem Massachusetts, some locals claimed that the Sumatran people should not have a say in the conversation. So artists from Sumatra created these pieces to ensure their voices and perspectives are included in the process.
Beban Kepala Akar Hati
Burdened Heat, Rooted Heart
Artist: Hanif
Hanif describes his piece:
Artist Statement:
"The heads of the main characters are depicted larger inspired by the style of Raden Saleh (The Arrest of Prince Diponegoro painting). It reflects the shared mental burden surrounding the change of this emblem amid the ongoing debates. The native Acehnese plant emphasizes historical roots, while the Acehnese door motif on the robe symbolizes identity, hospitality and friendship. The scroll in his hand serves as a metaphor for this work, carrying the hope of preserving the legacy of friendship between Aceh and Salem. Beside him stands Captain Jonathan Carnes, with his sword protecting the Acehnese man. I included him as a gesture of gratitude to the Americans who have helped uphold this friendship. These two figures are presented as a reminder of the close bonds once forged by our ancestors. In the background, a banana tree that has yet to bear fruit symbolizes hope - that regardless of the outcome of the current decision, this friendship will continue to sprout like a banana tree: growing, living, and drawing strength from deep historical roots."
Tarot Cards: Temperance, The Tower, The Star
Artist: Sjifa
This artwork is inspired by Tarot cards which are often played during Halloween celebrations in the United States in October. In modern culture, tarot cards have become a medium for self-reflection - an idea I want to adopt for contemplating the meaning of history. In this art piece there are three tarot cards: The Temperance as a reflection of the past, The Tower as a reflection of the present, and The Star as a reflection of the future.
"The Temperance card appears when a relationship is being tested. It reminds you to stay calm amidst differences and to seek harmony instead of conflict. George Peabody and Po Adam represent the strength of two different souls who are deeply connected. Their past reflects integrity under social pressure - a commitment to uphold the values of shared humanity. The sunset symbolizes that they have completed their journey wisely - not through argument, but through mutual understanding. The dove and olive branch depicted on the card carry a message of peace and healing. The Temperance urges us to blend logic and feelings, so that the ship of friendship may continue to sail in tranquility."
The Tower, or End of Cycle. This card emerges from a sense of concern over the ongoing debates of the present time. The burning ship symbolizes the threat to the emblem of friendship and the values of plurality that have been passed down. The consuming flames not only signify destruction but also a call to rescue. The figures from the Temperance card appear once more, accompanied by a woman - a war survivor from Quallah Battoo, who gazes from a distance. They stand as witnesses of the past, carrying sorrow and wisdom to help heal old wounds in the present. This card is not a sign of misfortune, but an invitation to awareness.
The Star, radiating an energy of goodness for the days to come. In contrast to J Carter Beard's depiction of war, three characters; a woman, a husband, and a soldier are shown watering an olive tree blossoming with jeumpa flowers. This symbol serves as a reminder for Aceh and Salem - two places once united by friendship, yet gradually forgetting the less-popular sides of their shared history in the lens of modernity. The Star invites both to rediscover their true essence - Aceh with its cultural diversity, and Salem with its spirit of peace, so that they may once again reconnect with one another.
Sjifa describes her cards:
All Eyes on Blue Dove
Artist: Zakhreen
Through this painting, I want to invite all of us to revisit the long-standing friendship between Aceh and Salem. Set in an imaginary place of the Port of Kuala Batee, the work draws inspiration from archival imagery of the U.S infantry assaulting the Acehnese forts at Kuala Batu in 1832. The main character in this painting is a blue dove, the emblem of peace from the city of Salem. Its body takes the form of a clock, standing on one leg symbolizing a deeply rooted yet fragile history that must be cared for and supported together. The pressure of "looking back" is portrayed through a human figure with an enormous eye for a head, standing atop the bird's wings. One holds a rencong, representing the Acehnese figures Shewbantar and Po Adam, who embody the glory of the past. Beside them stands a war victim, whos presence is also recorded and serves as a reflection of history for us all. The children playing in the painting express the young generation's desire to take part in preserving this history through real action, while the parent and baby symbolize the hope that this story will be passed down to generations after us.
Peh Sampeng
Artist: Puan
Artist Statement:
Peh Sampeng is a critique of the debate surrounding the Salem City Seal in Salem, US. This controversy inspired me to reflect on the history we wish to pass down to future generations. The main figure in this painting is a self-portrait, a depiction of myself as a product of two assimilated cultures: Aceh, which is deeply rooted in Islamic culture and Palembang, with its Chinese-Indonesian culture. This time, however, I choose to dress as an American judge. A figure symbolizing the historical narratives of Aceh and Salem. The symbol of peace deserves renewal just as the dove once carried an olive branch, it should now bear a cherry, once I have chosen with great care. The shadows of the past are no longer bound to present reality; American and peace, Aceh and prosperity these have become opposing poles. For the sake of a better future, this history must be left behind and the Mala Bayeun bird stands as a representation of this hopeful transformation. Peh Sampeng is a distinctive form of Acehnese satire - a way of criticizing behavior by reversing its literal meaning. You might need a moment to think it over: Cherry picking: Selecting only parts of history that support one's view while ignoring evidence that contradicts it. Shadow: Representation of the past. Mala Bayeun Bird: A mythical bird from Acehnese folklore that brings bad news. Zaitun Branch: Symbolism of peace in SalemJeumpa Flower: A symbol of warmth, hospitality, and beauty in Acehnese culture.