Indonesia has one of the biggest and most active punk community in the world. Punk movement in Indonesia started in late nineties as a way to fight growing poverty and corrupted government. Inspired by the western punk movement, Indonesians as well started to rebel against their government by creating songs about freedom, equality and injustice. Punk movement is kicking and growing ever since. Being punk in Indonesia is not only about music and freedom, punk community can provide sense of family, self-worth and give a chance to survive.

Indonesian punks are famous for their very unique and kind of aggressive looking appearance:  heavy pierced and tattooed faces and ripped black clothes decorated with punk symbols. Their extreme looking appearance has some negative consequences in this conservative Indonesian society. They are often treated as criminals, occasionally arrested by police. People are scared and try to avoid any contact with them. Because they look extremely different from others.

But who are these heavily tattooed and pierced rebels? What is behind their intimidating appearance? Are they really as dangerous as the society says they are? To find the answers to these questions, I became friends with Jakarta’s streets punks and started to photograph everyday life of the community. I photographed their intimate moments and daily activities, their joy, suffering and struggle to survive.

„Fight back“ words tattoed on Alviani‘s forehead. Indonesian punks are famous for their heavily tattoed and pierced faces. It has some negative consequences in this conservative Indonesian society.

One of the street punks from Sumatra.

Erwin is fixing Ajjay‘s hairstyle.

Street punks sitting near their favorite place to hangout in the old city of Jakarta.

Ukulele is the most common music instrument among Indonesian punks. The carry them everywhere. It is a tool survive and spread their message.

Bracelet made from real bullets. Indonesians punks are famous for their very unique and kind of intimidating appearance.

Punk is getting a tattoo on his right cheek on the night of the new year. Its the only place on his face that hasn’t been touched by the ink yet.

Tony at his home holding a neighbors daughter. Getting ready for the show.

Ajjay, 18 years old street punk from Jakarta. He stopped going to shcool from 9th grade and joined punk community. He is making living from by busking with his ukulele in the streets of Jakarta.

Ajjay and Kiki busking in the old town of Jakarta.

Punks counting the profit after another tiring busking session.

Street punk is filling a glass with locally made alcohol „arak“. Usually they drink it from the plastic bags.

Drunk street punk in the streets of Jakarta.

Before the new years celebration. Ajjay greeting his friend who just arrived from Sumatra to celebrate new years in Jakarta.

„Fucking Racism“ tattoed on Petrus forehead. Like many of the street punks of Indonesia he is earning money by busking in the streets with his fellow punks.

Petrus is busking in the street.

Practice before going for another busking session.

Tony. Guitart player and Singer of the punk band „Bakiak Oi“. Besides that he is making living by making a tattoos.

Tony is getting his Mohawk hairstyle ready for his band „Bakiak Oi“ show.

Members of the punk band „Bakiak oi“ smoking a cigarettes before their show.

„Sorry mother I failed“ tattoed on Heru‘s forehead. He is respected very active member of punk community.

Word „Punk“ is tattooed on Petrus fist.