IOTA is proud to announce the selection of SE Asian artists who will travel to WA IN 2026 for collaboration and research exchanges.
2 August 2026
The Indian Ocean Craft Triennial (IOTA) is delighted to announce three leading contemporary artists from Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia whose practices span ceramics, textiles and embroidery will undertake residencies in Western Australia as part of the IOTA x ASEAN Artist Residency Program, supported by the ASEAN-Australia Centre.
The residencies will bring internationally recognised artists to Perth and regional Western Australia in 2026, creating opportunities for artistic collaboration, research and cultural exchange while strengthening the profile of contemporary craft as a vital form of contemporary artistic practice.
Indonesian ceramic artist Sekarputi Sidhiawati and Thai artist Mariem Thidarat Chantachua will undertake two-week residencies during September, while acclaimed Malaysian textile artist Marcos Kueh will visit in November.
Working alongside Western Australian artists, cultural organisations and communities, the artists will spend time in Perth while also travelling to regional centres including Broome, Geraldton and other locations across the State. The program has been designed to immerse each artist in Western Australia’s diverse landscapes, First Nations cultures, creative communities and contemporary craft practice, while creating opportunities for local artists to build enduring international relationships.
Head of the ASEAN-Australia Centre, Fiona Hoggart said IOTA’s creative residencies promise to deepen understanding, trust and connection between people across Southeast Asia and Australia.
“The creative arts help people connect in a unique way,” Ms Hoggart said. “Embedding First Nations perspectives in Australia’s international engagement is an especially important part of the Centre’s work, so we’re delighted to support IOTA in their effort to build deeper cultural understanding across our region.”
Each artist has been invited because their contemporary practice uses craft as a powerful artistic language to explore culture, identity, place and community. Throughout their residencies they will visit artist studios, galleries and cultural organisations, undertake field research, and participate in conversations with local practitioners. Their experiences will inform new work for future presentation through IOTA27 and beyond.
Executive Director Carola Akindele-Obe said the residencies reflected IOTA’s long-term commitment to building meaningful cultural exchange across the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia.
“These residencies offer time for artists to immerse themselves in place, exchange knowledge and develop relationships that continue well beyond a single visit. They demonstrate the power of contemporary craft to connect cultures, foster dialogue and generate new artistic ideas across our region.”
The residency program continues IOTA’s growing international exchange program, which includes partnerships throughout the Indian Ocean region, artist exchanges, research residencies and collaborative commissions promoting the value of contemporary craft in intercultural dialogue.
The IOTA x ASEAN Artist Residency Program is proudly supported by the ASEAN-Australia Centre and the IOTA Ambassadors.
Regional WA partners include Yamaji Arts, Kimberley Arts Network, Southern Forest Arts.
Artist Profiles
Sekarputi Sidhiawati (Indonesia)
A ceramic artist based in Bali, Sekarputi “Puti” Sidhiawati explores questions of gender, identity and ecology through sculptural ceramic installations. Co-founder of the independent art space and residency RAD (Ruang Arta Derau), her work has been exhibited throughout Indonesia and internationally, combining contemporary ceramic practice with socially engaged storytelling.
Mariem Thidarat Chantachua (Thailand)
Known professionally as Mariem, Bangkok-based Thidarat Chantachua creates intricate embroidered works informed by Islamic art, architecture and geometry. Her practice explores identity, migration, minority experience and cultural connection through contemporary textile and digital processes. She has exhibited widely across Asia and undertaken an artist residency at the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum.
Marcos Kueh (Malaysia)
Born in Sarawak and now based in The Hague, Marcos Kueh is one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting emerging textile artists. His woven works explore identity, colonial histories and cultural memory, and are held in major collections including the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Kunstmuseum Den Haag and the Singapore Art Museum. His work has been presented internationally across Europe and Asia, including Singapore, New York, London and Amsterdam.
Media Enquiries:
Dixie Battersby Publicity, media@indianoceancrafttriennial.com
About IOTA: Connecting communities through craft
The Indian Ocean Craft Triennial (IOTA) is a not-for-profit organisation based in Western Australia that presents a unique platform for contemporary craft from the Indian Ocean Region. IOTA embodies a movement that celebrates diversity, nurtures talent, and fosters deep bonds among artists, audiences, patrons, and supporters.