Ep. 33 Big Dick Energy with Vector Borne Diseases 

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Today best friends Milena & Megan cover Chinese chemist Dr. Tu Youyou, who developed a treatment for malaria & Indonesian sex-positive painter IGAK Murniasih

Dr. Tu Youyou

Dr. Tu Youyou is a dedicated woman. Contracting tuberculosis as a teenage, Tu vowed to devote her studies to the prevention of disease. Asked by the government to develop a treatment for malaria, Tu did just that. Scouring centuries old medicinal texts, Tu expanded on traditional medical knowledge and discovered a modern treatment for the deadly vector borne disease.
Spending years away from her family while researching and testing herself as the first human subject speak to her determination. In 2015 she was awarded the Nobel Proze in Medicine for her work that has saved the lives of millions. Today we profile how this all came to fruition, and just how gross diseases like malaria are.

IGAK Murniasih

I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih, also known as IGAK Murniasih, also known as Murni – is weird and wonderful and today we cover the sexually unabashed paintings of the Indonesian artist. Growing up poor, Murni came to find international acclaim for her paintings post-fall of Indonesian’s authoritarian New Order Regime.
We highlight the impact of the government on creativity, social expectations of women and the baggage still associated with ‘Feminism’ in Indonesia today.

Selected Work
It’s 100% Big Dick Energy in today’s episode
This is Megan’s favorite painting by Murni. Like, what’s going on and does it even matter?
A favorite between Milena & Megan, a 2003 acrylic on canvas painting titled Happy to be with Him
In the words of Milena: What is this?
Amazing, that’s what it is – acrylic on canvas, Party in Bangkok
Shoes, distorted limb and physical anomalies are themes within Murni’s artwork
  • Dr. Wulan Dirgantoro – Art historian who has included Murni in her writings about contemporary feminist Indonesian artists
  • New Order Regime – Conservative ruling government of Indonesia from 1966 to 1998
  • I Dewa Putu Mokoh – Artist who taught Murni painting in the traditional Balinese style
  • Seniwati – Art gallery ran by Mary Northmore, who first showed Murni’s work starting in the mid 1990s
  • Reformasi – Period starting in 1998, after the fall of the New Regime Order
  • Cemeti Art House – Unofficial center for contemporary Indonesian art, where Murni had a solo show in 2000
Wanna know more? Always a book for that (usually) (or article)

Celeida Tostes by editors Marcus de Lontra Costa & Raquel Silva. Available to read for free, this is a great collection of essays in both Portuguese and English

Indonesian Women Artists: The Curtain Opens by Carla Bianpoen, Farah Wardani and Wulan Dirgantoro. We weren’t able to find a copy, but the reviews and interviews with the authors are insightful

Interrogating the Feminine in Indonesian Modern and Contemporary Art by Dr. Wulan Dirgantoro, full text Research Gate download available for free, and not spammy

Feminisms and Contemporary Art in Indonesia by Dr. Wulan Dirgantoro

As always, music by EeL