Insights

Junita Arneld: publications, photography, narratives.

The Insights section gathers the research and visual work of Junita Arneld, tracing the intersections between field study, photography, and written reflection.

Each project extends from lived experience—bridging local knowledge, museum collaboration, and academic inquiry.
Essays, catalogues, and talks presented here reflect a continuing dialogue between image and text, object and interpretation, revealing how Indonesian material culture speaks across disciplines and geographies.

Insights

Research & Publications

Articles, books, conference papers, and drafts in PDF

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Cover — Une icĂŽne identitaire du peuple Ngaju. Les chapeaux cĂ©rĂ©moniels sapuyung darĂ©

Une icÎne identitaire du peuple Ngaju. Les chapeaux cérémoniels sapuyung daré

Le Murmure Éditions · 2022 · Books

Cover — Die Schiffe der Verstorbenen. BegrĂ€bnismalereien der Ngaju von Borneo

Die Schiffe der Verstorbenen. BegrÀbnismalereien der Ngaju von Borneo

Völkerkundemuseum der UniversitĂ€t ZĂŒrich · 2021 · Books

Cover — Wayang. Essenza divina e vita quotidiana nelle marionette giavanesi

Wayang. Essenza divina e vita quotidiana nelle marionette giavanesi

Edizioni Casagrande, Lugano · 2013 · Books

Cover — I cappelli sapuyung darĂ© e il loro impiego rituale

I cappelli sapuyung daré e il loro impiego rituale

Ed. G. Mazzotta, Milano · 2011 · Books

Cover — Motivi decorativi dei cappelli cerimoniali sapuyung darĂ©

Motivi decorativi dei cappelli cerimoniali sapuyung daré

Ed. G. Mazzotta, Milano · 2011 · Books

Cover — Il sentimento della morte nella nostra cultura

Il sentimento della morte nella nostra cultura

Ed. G. Mazzotta, Milano · 2008 · Books

Cover — Patong: La Grande Scultura dei Popoli del Borneo

Patong: La Grande Scultura dei Popoli del Borneo

Ed. G. Mazzotta, Milano · 2008 · Books

Cover — Patong: La Grande Scultura dei Popoli del Borneo

Patong. Le Grandi Figure Scolpite dei Popoli del Borneo

Lugano · 2006 · Books

Cover — The Pantak Sculpture. Statues from Borneo

The Pantak Sculpture. Statues from Borneo

Ed. G. Mazzotta, Milano · 2007 · Books

Cover — Ferocious Expressions – The Guardian Spirits of the Dayak Benuaq People of Borneo

Ferocious Expressions – The Guardian Spirits of the Dayak Benuaq People of Borneo

2022 · Text

Cover — Powerful Harmonies – The Statuary of the Dayak Bahau People of Borneo

Powerful Harmonies – The Statuary of the Dayak Bahau People of Borneo

2022 · Text

Cover — Dayak Going International (2020)

Dayak Going International

2020 · Text

Cover — Basangiang: Traditional Healing through Possession among the Katingan Ngaju of Southern Borneo

“Basangiang: Traditional Healing through Possession among the Katingan Ngaju of Southern Borneo”

2015 · Text

Cover — Book Review: Dari Agama Politeisme ke Agama Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa

Book Review: Dari Agama Politeisme ke Agama Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa

2010 · Text

Cover — Pergulatan Identitas Dayak dan Indonesia. Belajar dari Tjilik Riwut

Book Review: Pergulatan Identitas Dayak dan Indonesia. Belajar dari Tjilik Riwut

2010 · Text

Cover — Ngaju Sapuyung Hats: A Brief Note

Ngaju Sapuyung Hats: A Brief Note

2007 · Text

Cover — Il nasi goreng: un piatto iconico della cucina indonesiana

Il nasi goreng un piatto iconico della cucina indonesiana

2023 · Talk

Cover — Spezie e Colori (2023)

Spezie e Colori: La Cucina Indonesiana

2023 · Talk

Cover — “Dayak Going International.” In Kearifan Lokal & Pemberdayaan Masyarakat (2020)

“Dayak Going International.” In Kearifan Lokal & Pemberdayaan Masyarakat

2020 · Talk

Cover — Betang Tumbang Gagu menuju Warisan Budaya Dunia

Betang Tumbang Gagu menuju Warisan Budaya Dunia

2021 · Talk

Cover — Se rĂ©approprier son histoire. Recentrer l’identitĂ© sur les connaissances traditionnelles

Se rĂ©approprier son histoire. Recentrer l’identitĂ© sur les connaissances traditionnelles

2017 · Talk

Cover — Sapuyung. Dayak Ngaju Large Ceremonial Hats from South of Borneo — Festival of Plaited Arts, Bentara Budaya, Jakarta

Sapuyung. Dayak Ngaju Large Ceremonial Hats from South of Borneo

2013 · Talk

Cover — Patong. The Great Sculpted Figures of the Peoples of Borneo

Patong. The Great Sculpted Figures of the Peoples of Borneo

2008 · Talk

Cover — Re-Appropriating Our History (English draft)

Re-Appropriating Our History. Reframing Identity Based on Traditional Knowledge (English draft)

2025 · Draft

Cover — Wayang. Divinity and Salvation (French draft) 2013

Wayang. Divinity and Salvation (French draft)

2013 · Draft

Cover — Le sentiment de la mort chez nous (French draft) 2008

Le sentiment de la mort chez nous (French draft)

2008 · Draft

Cover — Setia dan Wanita. Catatan Sejarah 500 SM - 2008 (Draft) 2008

Setia dan Wanita. Catatan Sejarah 500 SM - 2008

2008 · Draft

Cover — PsychĂ©, kupu-kupu putih, dan Zhonghua (Draft) 2007

Psyché, kupu-kupu putih, dan Zhonghua

2007 · Draft

Insights

Photography & Visual Documentation

Museum assignments, exhibition photography, and documentary series undertaken by Junita Arneld for museum in Switzerland and partner institutions.

Cover — Giancarlo Sangregorio – Una Passione Primitivista

Giancarlo Sangregorio – Una Passione Primitivista

2025 · Photography

Cover — African Design: Metals of Power

African Design: Metals of Power

2025 · Photography

Cover — L'Uomo e il Clima

L'Uomo e il Clima

2024 · Photography

Cover — Yang Xiaojian. Landscapes of Identity

Yang Xiaojian. Landscapes of Identity

2024 · Photography

Cover — The Cottier Collection

The Cottier Collection. Tecnica Ceramica Precolombiana

2024 · Photography

Cover — Capolavori en plein air - Collezione Loi

Capolavori en plein air - Collezione Loi

2023 · Photography

Cover — Attasit Pokpong. The Presence

Attasit Pokpong. The Presence

2023 · Photography

Cover — La memoria della modernità. Disegni di bambini giapponesi della Raccolta Levoni

La memoria della modernitĂ . Disegni di bambini giapponesi della Raccolta Levoni

2023 · Photography

Cover — The Seigan. Un capolavoro del Giappone cristiano

The Seigan. Un capolavoro del Giappone cristiano

2022 · Photography

Cover — The Infancy of Signs. Drawings of New Guinean Children from the Wirz Collection

The Infancy of Signs. Drawings of New Guinean Children from the Wirz Collection

2022 · Photography

Cover — Japan. Arts and Life. The Montgomery Collection

Japan. Arts and Life. The Montgomery Collection

2022 · Photography

Cover — Ehagaki. Japanese Postcards from the Ceschin Pilone Collection (1898–1960)

Ehagaki. Japanese Postcards from the Ceschin Pilone Collection (1898–1960)

2021 · Photography

Cover — Namad. The Ancient Art of Felt in Iran and Central Asia

Namad. The Ancient Art of Felt in Iran and Central Asia

2021 · Photography

Cover — Kakemono. Five Centuries of Japanese Painting. The Perino Collection

Kakemono. Five Centuries of Japanese Painting. The Perino Collection

2020 · Photography

Cover — Flowers at the Road’s Edge. Carpets and Textiles from Morocco. The Korolnik Collection

Flowers at the Road’s Edge. Carpets and Textiles from Morocco. The Korolnik Collection

2020 · Photography

Cover — Arte Dayak

Arte Dayak

2019 · Photography

Cover — A Treasure Found: New Works from the Brignoni Collection

A Treasure Found: New Works from the Brignoni Collection

2019 · Photography

Cover — Il Samurai: Da Guerriero a Icona

Il Samurai: Da Guerriero a Icona

2018 · Photography

Cover — Gioie fra i Capelli: La Collezione Antonini

Gioie fra i Capelli: La Collezione Antonini

2018 · Photography

Cover — Un Piccolo Mondo Antico (Swiss Customs Museum, Gandria)

Un Piccolo Mondo Antico (Swiss Customs Museum, Gandria)

2018 · Photography

Cover — Echoes of Bali

L'isola degli dĂši. Gotthard Schuh. Bali 1938

2017 · Photography

Cover — Villa Malpensata’s Transformation

Villa Malpensata’s Transformation

2016 · Photography

Cover — Gyeongnam International Photography Festival, South Korea

Gyeongnam International Photography Festival, South Korea

2016 · Photography

Cover — La Scuola di Yokohama. La fotografia nel Giappone dell’Ottocento

La Scuola di Yokohama. La fotografia nel Giappone dell’Ottocento

2015 · Photography

Cover — Tidi’uma. Creatività e genere nell’arte yekuana. La Collezione ACOANA

Tidi’uma. Creatività e genere nell’arte yekuana. La Collezione ACOANA

2015 · Photography

Cover — L’arte e la danza balinesi nella Collezione Wistari. Diario di una cosmopolita

L’arte e la danza balinesi nella Collezione Wistari. Diario di una cosmopolita

2015 · Photography

Cover — Frozen Motion: Capturing Indonesia’s Pacu Jawi Bull Races

Frozen Motion: Capturing Indonesia’s Pacu Jawi Bull Races

2013 · Photography

Cover — Junita Arneld in Gallery Photography Indonesia

Junita Arneld in Gallery Photography Indonesia

2012 · Photography

Cover — Hampatongs in the Daily Life of the Ngaju Dayaks

Hampatongs in the Daily Life of the Ngaju Dayaks

2004 · Photography

Insights

Artful Narratives

Concise readings across masks, posts, carriers, and ritual implements

Cover — Unveiling the Enchanting Power of Sacred Masks

Unveiling the Enchanting Power of Sacred Masks

Mask · Balinese

Cover — The Symbolic Essence of the Lotus Flower in Dayak Art

The Symbolic Essence of the Lotus Flower in Dayak Art

Lotus · Dayak

Cover — Baby Carriers: Treasured Heirlooms of Borneo

Baby Carriers: Treasured Heirlooms of Borneo

Heirloom · Dayak

Cover — Guardians of the Supernatural: Unveiling the Magic of Rods and Stakes

Guardians of the Supernatural: Unveiling the Magic of Rods and Stakes

Hunt · Dayak

Cover — The Bornean Ceremonial Post - Blontang

The Bornean Ceremonial Post: Blontang

Funeral · Dayak

Cover — Hudoq Masks: Bridging Realms of Surrealism

Hudoq Masks: Bridging Realms of Surrealism/h3>

Mask · Dayak

Sacred Masks

Short video podcast on ritual masks.

Barong pairs embody protection and balance; they appear at moments of cleansing and return.

Barong mask on a pedestal, frontal view with black facial field and gilt details.

In temple cycles and village processions, masks are moved, dressed, and addressed—objects with duties, not decor.

Lotus Motif

Lotus motif, spread and uses.

From Sanskrit courts to river posts: the lotus travels with language, ritual, and taste.

Close view of a lotus rosette on a carved wooden surface.

On posts and altars, the rosette signals life-force; triangles ring emergence—figure from flower.

Baby Carriers

Carriers as heirloom, status, and protection.

Beads, bells, teeth: materials that signal rank—and guard the back.

Rear panel of a beaded baby carrier with blue and yellow beads and bells.

Carriers circulate within families across births; when retired, they remain as biography in things.

Rods & Stakes

From measure to charm.

Tuntun and kelulong: measuring tools that become ritual agents.

Two carved rods and one stake with figurative tops.

Carved figures invite assistance; rice stakes stand sentry over fields and stores.

Blontang Post

Ironwood, heart-face, vegetal scrolls—presence carved for ceremony.

Blontang ceremonial post with heart-shaped face, lizard figure, and liana motifs.

Tripartite build, animals in the round: traits that anchor the post within a ritual field.

Hudoq Masks

A modern eye met an older theatre—surrealists noticed.

Sold hudoq mask, angular beak with bold paint.
Sold hudoq mask with long crest and dotted patterns.
Sold hudoq mask, red-black palette with white highlights.

Eccentric forms and arabesques aligned with avant-garde curiosities—without claiming lineage.