How can photography become a tool for communities to tell their own stories?
This question lies at the heart of Voices from the Estuary, a community-driven initiative at Museum Bahari that shares the lived experiences of women from Muara Angke through photographs they captured themselves. Running from July 4–31, 2026, the project invites visitors to rediscover Jakarta’s relationship with the sea through the voices of the people who have long lived alongside it.
Voices from the Estuary is part of The Blue Lab, an initiative of Georgetown SFS Asia Pacific that brings together research, community engagement, and creative storytelling to explore coastal resilience, environmental change, and inclusive development. The project was developed in collaboration with Museum Bahari, the MataWaktu Visual Research Foundation, the Jakarta Institute of the Arts (IKJ), and Climate Reality Indonesia.
At the heart of the project are the perspectives of 20 women from Muara Angke who participated in a Photovoice initiative—a participatory research method that enables communities to document and reflect on their own experiences through photography. Their images capture everyday life in the fishing village, the vital role women play in supporting their families, their connection to the sea, and their hopes for the future of their community.
Together, these photographs create an intimate portrait of a coastal community that is often overlooked, offering visitors a perspective of Jakarta that is rarely represented in mainstream narratives.
According to Gunawan Widjaja, Curator of Voices from the Estuary from the MataWaktu Visual Research Foundation, Photovoice is about giving communities ownership of their own stories.
“When people are given the opportunity to document and tell their own stories, what emerges is more than just visual documentation—it becomes an experience that fosters empathy. Voices from the Estuary invites us to listen directly to the people who live these realities every day.”
Hosted at Museum Bahari, the project also reflects the museum’s commitment to preserving Jakarta’s maritime heritage—not only through historical collections but also by highlighting the people whose lives continue to shape the city’s relationship with the sea.
“Museum Bahari strives to be a place where people can connect with the living stories of Jakarta’s coastal communities. Through Voices from the Estuary, we invite visitors to come, listen, and understand the experiences of Muara Angke’s women as an enduring part of our maritime heritage,” said Misari, Head of the Jakarta Maritime Museum Management Unit.
Complementing the Photovoice stories is an art installation by faculty members from the Jakarta Institute of the Arts (IKJ), created using green mussel shells collected from Muara Angke. The installation reflects both the creativity of coastal communities and their close relationship with the surrounding environment. Visual documentation by Climate Reality Indonesia further enriches the experience by providing broader context on the environmental and social realities facing Indonesia’s coastal regions.
The project officially opened with Pesta Rakyat (People’s Festival), a celebration inspired by the spirit of Jakarta’s coastal communities. Visitors enjoyed traditional food, cultural performances, and community activities that brought together residents of Muara Angke with the wider Jakarta public.
For Prof. Elle Wibisono, Technical Director and Research Fellow at The Blue Lab, the initiative represents far more than an art showcase.
“This People’s Festival is not only a celebration of the opening, but also a celebration by and for Jakarta’s coastal communities whose voices have gone unheard for far too long. When we first began designing this project, we had no idea what the outcome would be. The women of Muara Angke have shown extraordinary perseverance and spirit throughout this journey. Today is their day.”
Nurweni, one of the participants and Chair of the Muara Angke Village Consultative Council (LMK), hopes the project will encourage visitors to better understand the realities of life in coastal communities.
“Through these works, we hope people can see our lives as they truly are. Behind the seafood they enjoy every day lies struggle, uncertainty, and hard work that often goes unseen. We want our voices and experiences to be heard as well.”
More than a photography showcase, Voices from the Estuary is an invitation to listen. By placing community voices at the center of the narrative, it reminds visitors that Jakarta’s maritime heritage is not only found in its history, but also in the people who continue to live, work, and shape the city’s coastline every day.
If you are planning a visit, be sure to explore the Events section on our website and follow Georgetown SFS Asia Pacific on Instagram for upcoming Voices from the Estuary talks, workshops, community discussions, and other side events throughout July. We look forward to welcoming you to Museum Bahari to experience these stories firsthand and join the conversation on Jakarta’s living coastal heritage.
