Gusde Sidhi Explores Literature And Myths of Ancient Spice Trade Through “Tales of Spice Memories” Exhibition
In a world where history often fades into footnotes, Balinese illustrator Gusde Sidhi is breathing new life into the forgotten narratives of the spice trade’s golden era. Rooted in the folklore and epic tales of the Mahabharata that shaped his childhood, Sidhi now turns to the rich, myth-laden legacy of the spice trade — once the lifeblood of global exchange from the fifth to the 15th century — as the foundation of his exhibition. Through detailed illustrations inspired by in-depth historical research, Sidhi’s work transcends visual storytelling, reviving a powerful cultural memory and reconnecting audiences with an era when spices weren’t just commodities, but the epicenter of diplomacy, desire, and imagination.
In tandem with Ubud Food Festival 2025, Gusde Sidhi explores Indonesia’s spice heritage and the ancient spice route. EnVi spoke with Gusde Sidhi via Zoom about his art styles, love for ancient stories, and — of course — tales that connect spices and history.
Get To Know Gusde Sidhi
What began as a childhood hobby has become a lifelong calling for Balinese illustrator Gusde Sidhi. His love of drawing led him to study visual communication design at the Indonesian Art Institute, where he discovered that illustration could be more than just a pastime. It could be a powerful storytelling tool. “For me, illustrating has become a way to express my other passion: storytelling,” he said. “Bringing stories to life through images has become my passion.” Much of Sidhi’s work is inspired by the history books he read, drawing from fascinating details and obscure trivia that he transforms into intricate, narrative-rich artworks.
Sidhi draws visual inspiration from a blend of classic styles, most notably Art Deco and Art Nouveau, both of which are evident in the intricate lines and elegant forms that define his work. He also finds influence in traditional Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock prints, particularly their use of rich textures and strong composition that places the central object in focus. These stylistic elements converge in his illustrations, creating a distinct aesthetic that feels both timeless and culturally layered.
Gusde Sidhi for Ubud Food Festival 2025
Marking his contribution as the official artist of Ubud Food Festival 2025, Gusde Sidhi brings a thoughtful, layered perspective to this year’s visual identity. “Food is something we enjoy every day — to bring joy, to ease our stress,” Sidhi said. “But for my work at Ubud Food Festival, food isn’t just a dish. It’s a story, framed within a theme and explored visually.”
In the official festival artwork, Sidhi presents a powerful composition: a Balinese woman stands at the center, surrounded by spices — portrayed as masculine forms. The contrast is intentional. “It reflects how women’s roles are often overlooked,” he explained.
“[The] essence of our culinary heritage lies not only in the dish, but in the spices.” – Gusde Sidhi
“The real legacy lives in these spices — knowledge passed down through generations, especially through the hands of mothers. It is through them that the richness of taste and tradition continues to thrive,” he told EnVi.
Sidhi’s approach challenges viewers to reconsider the invisible labor behind food, and to recognize that the act of cooking is a form of storytelling. In this way, his work becomes something more: a tribute to heritage and a celebration of the hands — often women’s — that have preserved Indonesia’s flavors for centuries.
A Closer Look At “Tales of Spice Memories”
Titled “Tales of Spice Memories”, this exhibition dives deep into the forgotten histories of the spice trade through a rich tapestry of myth, memory, and visual storytelling. Set against the backdrop of Nusantara — Indonesia’s ancient identity as a sprawling archipelago of abundance — the exhibition revisits the centuries when the region stood at the heart of global trade routes. With nutmeg, cloves, and other coveted spices drawing European powers to islands like Banda Neira, the works reflect on a time marked by both prosperity and colonial struggle.
He retells the stories of the spice regions, weaving them together with the myths surrounding spices before the 15th century. “What I discovered during my research for this exhibition is that the history of the spice trade before the 15th century contains significant gaps — filled with myths and uncertainties,” Sidhi explained.
Between Fantasy And Spices
The exhibition served as the medium where those myths and uncertainties are visualized by Sidhi. It opens with a surreal scene drawn from The Histories by Herodotus, one of the earliest Western attempts to document the known world. In it, Arabians are described gathering cassia while wrapped in ox-hide armor, defending themselves from screeching bat-like creatures that guard the spice-laden lake. Today, the passage reads more like fantasy than fact — but in its time, such tales served a calculated purpose.
By depicting spices as dangerous and difficult to harvest, these stories inflated their mystique and market value. Sidhi’s illustration of this strange, hostile harvest reflects not only the imaginative reach of ancient writers, but also the early use of storytelling as an economic strategy. In his hands, Herodotus’s vision becomes a metaphor for how myth and trade became entangled.
In the next section, Sidhi turns to The Travels of Sir John Mandeville, a widely circulated 14th-century travelogue filled with awe-inspiring (and often wildly inaccurate) accounts of Asia. Mandeville describes lands inhabited by Cynocephali — dog-headed men — alongside headless humans, one-eyed giants, and hermaphroditic beings. While historians today dismiss these as medieval fantasy, such stories once carried the weight of truth.
Sidhi revisits these characters through finely detailed illustrations, offering viewers a visual translation of Mandeville’s strange and symbolic world. By giving form to the fantastic, he questions the West’s enduring tradition of turning the unfamiliar into spectacle. His creatures are not mere curiosities; they stand as symbols of cultural projection, reminding us how the “unknown” has long been shaped by imagination, fear, and fascination.
Through the exhibition, “Tales of Spice Memories”, Sidhi invites us to explore history through the lens of imagination — diving into narratives that transcend space and time. By gathering historical texts and literary accounts linked to the spice trade, he reveals the depth of storytelling that surrounds this global legacy. In doing so, his work not only revives forgotten memories, but also deepens our understanding of how spices helped shape the cultural and economic landscapes of the world.
“Spices, as part of Indonesia’s rich heritage, are the central theme of this year’s Ubud Food Festival and this exhibition,” Sidhi explains. “Spices carry many layers of meaning — they meet human needs, enhance flavor, offer aromatic value, and hold a sense of mysticism. ‘Tales of Spice Memories’ focuses on the symbolism of spices as cultural heritage, tracing their journey through history, belief, and everyday life,” he further elaborated, marking the end of the interview.
“Tales of Spice Memories” is exhibiting at Indus Restaurant, Bali, from May 24 to June 24, 2025.
Missing out on Ubud Food Festival 2025? Worry not! Check out EnVi’s coverage of this year’s festivities here!
