Alvin Tjitrowirjo Shares His Journey with Rattan and Indigenous Weavers in ABC Australia’s New Series, Culture by Design, Hosted by Anthony Burke

When we talk about design in Asia, we're talking about a huge range of cultures, ways of living, and generations of inherited wisdom. It's a deep narrative rooted in heritage and belief, something that's truly unique to this part of the world.

But as the ways we speak about the world grow increasingly diverse, the landscape of design becomes even more layered and complex. We often find ourselves in the in-between so much so that, without realizing it, we begin to lose sight of our craft, our design, and ultimately, our identity.

To explore the full tapestry of Asian design, ABC Australia embarks on a cultural and creative journey across the region. Hosted by international design expert Anthony Burke, this new six-part series introduces audiences to visionary creatives who are redefining what it means to design sustainably, innovatively, and ethically, responding to global issues such as climate change, limited resources, and social inequality.

In the series, Anthony meets with ceramicists, street artists, fashion designers, architects, furniture makers, and weavers from Yogyakarta to Mumbai and, along the way, discovers the essence of ‘good design.’ The series features Indonesia-based creatives including Rinaldy Yunardi (fashion design), Hadassah Daniarto (spokesperson - sustainable architecture), Eko Nugroho (multi-disciplinary artist), Josephine “Obin” Komara (textiles designer), Kali Sari (Sarawati paper making), Dyah Retno Fitriani (ceramics), Elora Hardy (architecture), Erin Dwi Azmi (graphic design) Singgih Susilo Kartono (bamboo bikes) and Oleh Realrich Sjarief (architecture), and our founder and creative director, Alvin Tjitrowirjo (furniture design). 

Having long been tied to the material of rattan throughout his lifelong journey as a designer, Alvin has continuously explored its potential as a reflection of Indonesia’s cultural and ecological richness. In the series, he shares his recent journey developing the Ndare collection as an effort to reconnect design with its roots by working alongside Indigenous artisan communities, especially the women weavers whose lives remain closely tied to the rhythms of nature. Their connection to the land gives them not only material inspiration but also spiritual guidance, shaping how AlvinT sees craft as a way to preserve tradition while creating a new design language that uplifts the artisans, honors their craft, and celebrates the land itself. Through his gallery and design work, Alvin keeps sharing these stories with a wider audience, connecting local wisdom with contemporary relevance. 

Culture by Design premieres on Sunday, 20 April 2025, at 11:00 AM Western Indonesian Time (WIB) on ABC Australia and ABC iview. New episodes air weekly on Sundays from 11:00 AM Western Indonesian Time (WIB) and will be available on demand via ABC Asia.

You can watch ABC Australia in Indonesia through Biznet Home, DSB TV, First Media, IndiHome TV, MNC Vision, MyRepublic, Transvision, or Vidio.com.