Bianca Goenawan
ARTICULATING THROUGH ART
Hey, I’m Bianca Goenawan. I’m a student at Jakarta Intercultural School, graduating in 2026. Art’s been my constant since childhood, though I tend to wander through every corner of it. When I’m not buried in sketches, you’ll probably find me upside down in gymnastics, chasing tennis balls, or perfecting my matcha recipe. Cooking’s my reset button—there’s art in that too!
When I was little, I pocketed shells from every beach trip. Now they sit in jars on my desk, chipped and imperfect. They remind me why I make art: to rebuild, to restore, to turn what’s been tossed aside into something whole again.
Also, because I can’t stop collecting things that look like metaphors.
My Role at Feedback
I’m so proud that this issue of Feedback Magazine marks my first time having my artwork featured on both the front and back covers! It’s an incredible feeling to see my designs frame the work of such a passionate team of writers and editors. I’m grateful to be part of a community that’s full of creativity and drive, and I’m especially happy to lead a team of vibrant artists and support the rising journalists at Feedback who make every issue something worth celebrating.
Restoration Journey
In summer 2024, I joined a restoration program in Gravina, Puglia, Italy where I got hands-on with real Renaissance paintings! I learned how to clean centuries of soot and dirt, repair small tears with cowhide glue, and carefully bring back color using reversible pigments. The most challenging (and oddly satisfying) part was scraping wax from the back of a painting with surgical knives—steady hands and patience were key! It was an incredible mix of history, art, and precision.
Restoring an old painting is equal parts patience and precision. It starts with gently cleaning away layers of soot and yellowed varnish using tiny brushes and cotton swabs until the hidden colors begin to glow again. Small tears are repaired with cowhide glue, and missing spots of paint are carefully retouched using reversible pigments. Every step takes hours of slow, focused work under bright lights and magnifiers. It’s delicate, sometimes frustrating, but incredibly rewarding—like bringing a piece of history back to life.
Cave Conservation
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One of the coolest parts of my time was helping with cave conservation. Armed with soft brushes, scalpels, and endless patience, I carefully cleaned layers of dirt and soot that had built up over centuries. It felt like uncovering tiny secrets hidden in the stone. We stabilized fragile sections with special materials to keep the surfaces from crumbling, and every little patch we saved felt like a small victory. It was slow, detailed work, but incredibly satisfying!
Making Fresco
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I got to make my very first fresco, just like the Renaissance artists. I mixed lime plaster, traced my sketch, and painted quickly before the surface dried. Every brushstroke felt like a race against time, and there were no do-overs because once the pigment set, it stayed for good. Watching the colors fuse into the wall felt almost magical, like chemistry and art working together. With messy hands, bright pigments, and a wall turning into a painting, it was pure creative chaos, and I loved every minute of it.
The beautiful city of Gravina in Puglia and its famous Ponte Acquedotto Madonna della Stella - the bridge that connect the city and the grotto area.
IASAS Art Delegation
I’m so grateful to represent JIS as a delegate for IASAS Art for three years in a row! In 2023, we had the honor of hosting the event in Jakarta, where we exhibited over 200 incredible artworks from across the region. Last year, we gathered at ISKL alongside talented artists from five other Southeast Asian schools, with each school sending eight delegates for a total of forty-eight participants. It was such an inspiring experience to connect, share ideas, and collaborate on new pieces together. I’m already looking forward to traveling to Singapore American School for this year’s IASAS and continuing to grow with this amazing community of artists.
Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
The Spring
Through my work with The Spring, I’ve focused on helping communities in Indonesia gain access to something most of us take for granted—clean water. Many rural areas still struggle with unsafe or unreliable sources, so our team built ten wells that now provide water to more than four thousand people across Ranca Bungur, Bogor, Teluk Naga, and Mauk in Indonesia.
Initial communications with the community to discuss location, design, and layout of the public facilities.
2023
Featured in Tribun News - 2022
Along the way, we raised funds through creative campaigns and community events, and we also led workshops on hygiene and sustainability to make sure the wells stay useful for years to come. Seeing how something as simple as clean water can change daily life has been one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had.
Featured in Kompas - 2023
National Art Honor Society
As the Media Director of NAHS, I get to bring our chapter’s creativity to life through photos, videos, and social media projects that showcase our artists and events. One of my favorite initiatives this year was organizing our first-ever Chalk Walk, where students filled the campus sidewalks with colorful drawings and spontaneous collaborations. It was messy, vibrant, and full of energy. Seeing everyone’s ideas come alive in such a public and playful way reminded me how art can connect people and brighten ordinary spaces.
Musical Production - Costume and Make up
Musical Production Team
Musical Production Team
I was in charge of costumes and make up for Kau Istimewa musical at our Parish, and with only two months to prepare, we decided to buy most of the outfits. I handled everything from choosing the color theme to buying clothes, accessories, and managing fittings. With a tight budget of just USD 1,000, I managed to get everything we needed. It was a fun and rewarding experience working with the kids—since the entire cast was made up of children! Even better, all proceeds from the show were donated to TPA Indriasana, a daycare center for factory workers’ children.