Bernadet Putri Studio: Wispy Watercolours to Cultivate People’s Appreciation of Indonesian Wildlife

Indonesian illustrator & textile designer Bernadet Putri creates watercolour designs of Indonesian wildlife. She does this to cultivate people’s appreciation of them and advocate for their preservation and conservation. Putri’s work spotlights endemic wildlife, including animals such as the Borneo white cockatoo, the Javan leopard, and the black panther, which does not exist anywhere else.

Aside from making conventional watercolour pieces, Putri transforms her paintings into whimsical apparel. She creates ready-to-wear items such as Hawaiian shirts, sling bags and stylish yet inconspicuous pins for people to wear daily. Sometimes, Putri paints directly onto her garments, employing her signature wispy watercolour style to create a custom handmade product. Putri has also partnered with different non-profits to ensure that the incredible animal life she has paid tribute to will be able actually to benefit from her artworks. This is why Bernadet Putri’s work is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Life on Land.

Indonesia hosts the fourth-highest number of endangered animal species in the world. This is reflected in how, despite over 350,000 endemic species not found elsewhere, 99 million acres of the nation’s rainforests, a majority of these species’ habitats, have entirely disappeared. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists 1,161 threatened, endangered, critically endangered and vulnerable species in the country. A majority of them are mammals, birds and fish, which also explains Putri’s penchant for painting the birds and mammals found in her Nirwana series.

Bernadet Putri’s wispy watercolour illustrations and wearable art bring Indonesia’s rich but vulnerable wildlife to the forefront, fostering a deeper appreciation for the nation’s unique biodiversity. By showcasing endemic species like the Borneo white cockatoo and Javan leopard, her work celebrates their beauty. It raises awareness of the urgent need for conservation amidst large-scale habitat loss. Through collaborations with non-profits and creating functional art pieces, Putri transforms her advocacy into tangible action. Her efforts inspire audiences to support wildlife preservation and cherish Indonesia’s natural heritage.

Find out more about wispy watercolours of Indonesian wildlife and other pieces by Bernadet Putri Studio on her website www.campsite.bio/bernadetputri.studio or Instagram @bernadetputri.studio.