Challenging beauty rules: How this Bali street artist is smashing myths about skin colour, looks
You could call her a born artist! As a child, Yessi Nur Mulianawati, would scribble and colour anything and everything using crayons, as long as there was a blank spot.
Soon, what began as a childhood hobby became a passion and at age 10, she was selected by her art teacher to represent the school at an art competition.
“I was really confused, like what?” she recalls. "But I took the chance. I realised I didn’t like sitting in class, and as time went by, I just felt like, I think this is what I want to do.”
From that moment on, she was unstoppable but even then, the spray can and blank wall idea had not yet clicked.
Her first taste of painting on walls came during her university years, on the walls of her friend’s room.
“I asked my friend who had a nice room, can I paint your room? Because I asked my parents if I could paint my room and they were like no. That’s when I realised, this is fun. I’d like to try it again,” she said with a laugh.
And try she did. She found a community of street artists in her city, and before she knew it, she was painting her first wall on the street.
Redefining beauty
Through the years, street art became a means for Yessi to inspire change. She would not just splash and spray on walls but tell stories with her art.
She would paint characters with a blend of bright colours but the faces and skin of these characters, particularly women, will always be darker shades.
Yessi’s paintings did not show the typical slim, curvy-shaped women that the world has subtly come to accept as standard, she had them come in different sizes, shapes and skin colours.
What one may not know is that these paintings have a back story. Growing up, Yessi faced bullying because of her dark skin, which was considered quite far from the lighter complexions.
“In Indonesia, and many Asian countries, everyone expects you to have light skin. For many years, I was famous for being ‘the dark girl.’ My dad taught me to fight the bullying, and I tried to break the stigma in my art. Skin doesn’t need to be white or light cream. This is my colour, and I’m proud of it and I try to show that in my work.” She told GSW in an interview.
Through her art, she has inspired body positivity and confidence, urging women to embrace their natural appearance and reject society’s narrow standards of beauty.
Painting around the world
Yessi now travels the world as a mural artist with her partner Stan, sharing her story by painting on walls in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
She has painted more than 20 walls across 15 countries including a massive 160-square-meter piece in Serbia.
Yessi also promotes culture and diversity through her art by blending the stories of the local communities into the murals she creates.
“I ask the organisers about the local traditions before I paint. It helps me connect with the culture, and it shows in the art.”
Support for her work
Yessi says she has come to enjoy her work as a female street artist from Bali because of the support she has received.
Although she began with her own funding for Street Art Festivals she was invited to, the talented artist now has support from the Indonesian government and other private companies who sponsor her work.
“I got the support from the Indonesian government but also from private companies. So every year I tried to look for a festival in Europe and then I made a proposal and my agency in Jakarta helped me to, to find a sponsor,” she said.
International recognition and future plans
Yessi’s murals earned her a spot in the Forbes’ list of 30 under 30. With dreams of continuing her journey as a street artist, Yessi’s future is bright. She’s determined to show the world that Indonesian women can shine in the global street art scene.
“I want to encourage other girls to be brave. Just try. Even if you’re scared, there’s always a way.” Together with three friends, she’s started a Street Art Festival in Bali, hoping to create opportunities for other artists like herself.
“We provide everything the artists need, just like I’ve experienced abroad. Flights, accommodation, food, materials—all covered. I want them to feel supported and focus on creating their best work.”
She is currently working on the next edition scheduled for 2025.
Watch her full interview with GSW here:
