Born: 1991, Indonesia
Profession: Visual artist and Photographer
Lives & works in: Jakarta, Indonesia

From a young age, Tyo had struggled with gender dysphoria. Through this visual story, I look into her memories from junior high school years, a crucial time in her life when she first received the name Trova (derived from the word Trova) from one of her teachers. The archieves serve to document all of Trova’s worries and troubles rather than just serving as a visual record of the past.

Within Tyo’s life, there were a lot of dark histories that intersect with her family. So, her acceptance of Trova is her attempt to erase the story of losing a family and building her own meaning of family, love and hope. Today, Tyo is Trova, the one she is proud of.

Using a cyanotype approach that is combined with embroidery stitches and beading, I examine the notion of masculinity, which she previously saw as a barrier. She nevertheless maintains her masculine and feminine sides as she matures and comes to terms with her identity as Trova. For her, Trova’s authenticity serves as the blooming flower that honors her victory to reclaim her body, soul and future.

Being a queer person in Indonesia still entails facing repression because all forms of self-transformation are still perceived as being against social norms. Physical, psychological, economic, sexual and cultural violence are among these behaviors. Contrarily, because heteronormative values are prioritized in this nation, LGBTQ people frequently lose a family member who could offer a secure environment in which to live, develop, and be themselves.