We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bunga Vidanska. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bunga below.

Hi Bunga, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

One thing I’m deeply grateful for is that my parents always believed in me. They trusted that I could succeed in whatever path I chose—as long as I chose it with intention.

Growing up in a typical Asian household, especially where I’m from, that kind of freedom isn’t something everyone gets. Many parents I knew limited their children’s dreams with fixed expectations: “Just become a civil servant,” or “It’s better to be a lawyer, doctor, police officer, or soldier.” But my parents never imposed their will on me. Instead, they would simply ask: “So, what’s your plan? What do you want to become?” Then they would challenge and even criticize my ideas—not to discourage me, but to test my readiness and mental strength. They wanted to know: Did I really understand the consequences of the path I chose?

Once they saw I was confident in my decision, they gave me their full support.

From them, I learned the importance of persistence, resilience, and always having a plan. My father is a professor and my mother is also highly educated, so I was raised in a deeply academic environment—structured, analytical, and rooted in critical thinking. I still remember when I was a teenager and wanted to choose my college major, they didn’t just ask “why”—they asked for a presentation. I had to defend my decision in front of them like it was a doctoral defense—complete with arguments, consequences, and long-term projections. It was intense… but it taught me so much.
That process shaped how I approach everything now. No matter what path you choose, it’s not just about passion—it’s about clarity, responsibility, and grit.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi! I’m Bunga Vidanska — a flower artist, intuitive wellness guide, and the founder of Bunga Karsa, a creative brand that bridges art, nature, and spirit. I come from Indonesia, a country rich in natural beauty and ancestral traditions, and I carry that cultural essence into everything I do.

The word “Bunga” means flower, and “Karsa” means intention or will in Indonesian. Together, Bunga Karsa reflects my belief that creativity becomes most powerful when it’s infused with purpose. I started the brand during my time pursuing a Master’s in Public Diplomacy at USC. While I was learning how to build cultural bridges on a global level, I also felt a deep pull to reconnect with my own roots — and the gentle power of flowers became my medium.

At Bunga Karsa, I specialize in creating handmade accessories, wearable art, and keepsakes using real preserved flowers. Every piece is one-of-a-kind and crafted to carry personal symbolism — many of my clients say they feel emotionally connected to their piece, like it holds a memory or intention for them. I also paint with dried petals, hand-paint floral designs on secondhand clothing, and create embroidered jackets that honor the wild, imperfect beauty of nature.

Beyond the tangible, I also offer Javanese Flower Meditations, a ritual-based wellness practice rooted in ancestral Indonesian wisdom. I integrate this with my background as a certified Tarot Reader, Reiki Master, and meditation facilitator — offering sessions that help people find clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual connection. Whether it’s through art or healing, my goal is always the same: to create space for peace, beauty, and deeper self-awareness.

What sets my work apart is the way I blend culture, energy, and creativity. It’s not just about decoration — it’s about restoration. It’s about storytelling. It’s about honoring nature as both mirror and medicine.

What I’m most proud of is the way my creations have touched people — many have said my work helped them through grief, self-discovery, or transitions. That’s the highest honor I could ever receive.

At the heart of it, I want people to know that Bunga Karsa is a space of intention and remembrance. A space where art meets ritual. Where flowers speak. Where beauty is sacred, and softness is strength.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Absolutely. At the heart of my creative journey is a mission to create peace — not just aesthetically, but emotionally, spiritually, and culturally.

Through Bunga Karsa, I’m building a bridge between nature and healing, between ancestral wisdom and modern life, and between art and intention. I want people to slow down, to feel something, to remember the sacredness of beauty — and to reconnect with themselves in the process.

My deeper goal is to show that art can be more than visual — it can be ritual, reminder, and restoration. Whether I’m making wearable flower art or guiding Javanese meditation rituals, everything I do is about inviting softness back into a world that often forgets how to be gentle.

And as someone who comes from a rich but often misunderstood cultural background, I also see my work as a form of soft diplomacy — a way to share Indonesian stories and philosophies with the world through quiet offerings of creativity and care.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the belief that my worth is tied to productivity, and that success only counts if it looks powerful from the outside.

Growing up in a highly achievement-driven culture, success was often defined by big, prestigious titles—like becoming a diplomat, a politician, or someone with major authority. At the same time, I internalized that I always had to be productive, constantly creating, constantly earning, constantly proving myself. If I wasn’t “doing enough” or making money, I felt guilty. Useless. Like I was falling behind.

Even after I stepped into creative and spiritual work, that old mindset followed me. I punished myself when I rested. I questioned my value when things moved slowly. But flowers don’t bloom all year. And nature never rushes.

Through working with flowers, leading meditations, and reconnecting with ancestral practices, I began to understand that success isn’t always loud—sometimes, it’s simply surviving. Choosing joy. Waking up and continuing, even when the world tells you you’re not enough.

Now I’m learning to honor the quiet wins: the deep breaths, the creative sparks, the days when I choose rest without guilt. Success, for me, is no longer about power or prestige. It’s about peace, alignment, and living life in a way that feels honest.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bungakarsa.com
• Instagram: @bungavidanska & @bunga.karsa
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bunga-vidanska
• Other: Tiktok: @bungakarsa

Image Credits

Credits to Bunga Vidanska