This booklet was produced in conjunction with Mella Jaarsma's solo exhibition at Jendela (Visual Arts Space) at Esplanade, Singapore. The Dutch-born, Yogyakarta based artist is known for her complex costume installations based on the idea that humans inhabit a social space created by articles of clothing or body coverings and, at the same time, use clothing to portray an image of themselves outwardly to society.

'Bolak Balik means "alternating back and forth" or "contradictory" in Bahasa Indonesia. Through three new series of work, Jaarsma created new suits that are derived from a creative play of words, reflecting sociocultural issues within Indonesian society that are affected by religious and political decisions that have been rigidly implemented over a wide spectrum of peoples, cultures and traditions.' - excerpt from the introduction