Garuda Indonesia Colours Magazine February 2018 | Page 74

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Explore | Interview
INTERVIEW
In 1996, Dian Sastrowardoyo
became the ultimate
Indonesian ‘It Girl’ after
winning a famous modelling
competition, Gadis Sampul.
More than two decades later,
Dian is known for her work as
an actor, brand ambassador
and social entrepreneur.
Colours met with Dian a week after she
returned from her year-end holiday in
Europe with husband Maulana Indraguna
Sutowo and their two children. The star
of Kartini said she is currently enjoying
her work in film and social causes.
Dian said she wants to use her celebrity
status to shine a spotlight on social issues that
deserve attention. In 2011, just a year after her
marriage, the Jakarta-born artist established
Yayasan Dian Sastrowardoyo, demonstrating
her commitment to work in culture, education
and female empowerment. Every year the
foundation launches different initiatives, from
supplying textbooks and stationery to schools
across the country, to publishing and
performing arts. It also gives out scholarships
annually to underprivileged students.
The foundation allows Dian to give
something back. On a recent business trip to
Sumba, Dian met with local weavers who
produce high-quality fabrics, but her heart
broke when she saw villagers suffering from
the scarcity of basic necessities such as
electricity and clean water. So many young
children make a 20km trip every day just to
get clean water for their families.
“Sumba is located in the central and
southernmost part of Indonesia, but despite its
vibrant culture and excellent traditional fabrics
as a commodity, it’s one of the poorest
provinces. They don’t even have access to clean
water,” she said. “How do you even get good
grades [at school] if you have to walk for hours
every day just to get some water?”
Upon her return from the island, Dian set
up a series of phone calls and meetings
with her friends in the capital city and
decided to hold an exhibition. To celebrate
Indonesia’s Independence Day in 2017,
Dian hosted an exhibition called Lukamba
Nduma Luri (Fabrics That Provide a Living)
for which she brought hundreds of Sumba ’s
traditional fabrics to Jakarta.