Art Jakarta Gardens 2026 has officially opened as an open-air art week, bringing together Indonesia’s art ecosystem and regional communities. The event runs from 5 to 10 May 2026 at Hutan Kota by Plataran in Senayan, Jakarta.
The exhibition presents a platform for artists, galleries, curators, collectors, museums and art enthusiasts. Organisers aim to create a space for interaction and exchange within the art community across Indonesia and Asia.
This year’s edition features 31 sculptures installed across the outdoor area. The works are displayed throughout the park, allowing visitors to engage with art in an open-air setting. In addition to the outdoor installations, the exhibition also includes paintings and other artworks from 26 local and Asian galleries, presented in two dedicated indoor tents.
Five new galleries from across Asia are participating in the exhibition. These include galleries from Kuala Lumpur, Taipei and Seoul. Their inclusion reflects the event’s continued regional engagement and expansion.
Public Programmes and Institutional Support
Art Jakarta Gardens 2026 also includes a series of public programmes. These consist of musical performances, performance art, light installations and discussion sessions. The programmes are designed to complement the visual art presentations and provide additional points of engagement for visitors.
The organisers state that the inclusion of public programmes is part of an ongoing effort to introduce new elements to each edition of the event. The approach aims to maintain visitor interest and broaden audience participation.
The exhibition is supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Creative Economy. It also involves partnerships with two financial institutions.
According to organisers, these partnerships are intended to contribute to the development of a sustainable arts ecosystem, while also offering direct benefits to visitors.
Art Jakarta’s broader programme will continue later in the year. The main Art Jakarta event is scheduled to take place at JI Expo Kemayoran from 2 to 4 October 2026. Meanwhile, Art Jakarta Papers is planned for 18 to 21 February 2027 at Pondok Indah Mall 3.
Installation Highlights Reflect Economic Themes
One of the installations featured at Art Jakarta Gardens 2026 is a large knitted octopus artwork titled “Tentacle of Wealth”. The piece is a collaboration between Bandung-based artist Mulyana, also known as Mang Moel, and the investment platform Bibit.
The installation depicts a purple octopus with extended tentacles, accompanied by smaller octopus figures in bright colours. The character, named Mogus or Sigarantang Octopus Monster, is positioned within the exhibition area as part of the outdoor display.
According to the description provided at the site, the octopus was selected due to its relevance to current global and national economic conditions. The animal is known for its regenerative abilities. If one of its arms is severed, it can grow back.
The installation carries a message related to investment behaviour. It encourages investors to remain calm and avoid panic during periods of economic fluctuation. The regenerative nature of the octopus is presented as a metaphor for recovery and growth.
The artwork also reflects the concept of diversification. The multiple tentacles symbolise the distribution of investments across different assets. This approach is commonly used to reduce risk in financial planning.
Art Jakarta Gardens is part of the annual Art Jakarta calendar. As an open-air exhibition, it combines indoor and outdoor presentations, offering a different format for viewing contemporary art in the city.
