Art Jakarta Gardens officially opened this afternoon at Hutan Kota by Plataran. This unique art fair, which focuses on outdoor artworks, features contributions from 25 local art galleries and showcases over 28 sculptures throughout the park’s scenic grounds.
First launched in 2022 in response to the pandemic, Art Jakarta Gardens is now in its fourth edition. It has quickly become one of the most significant events on Indonesia’s contemporary art calendar, offering a fresh format that blends art and nature.
Beginning Tuesday, 22 April 2025, the exhibition runs until Sunday, 27 April 2025. This year’s edition includes galleries from across Indonesia, primarily Jakarta, Semarang, Yogyakarta, and Bandung. Tom Tandio, Exhibition Director, expressed pride in curating a programme that brings together diverse talents from across the country.
The first day was reserved for VIP guests, while the exhibition opens to the public on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, with tickets priced at Rp175,000 per person.
Art as Healing: A Cultural Statement Amidst Global Uncertainty
Deputy Minister of Creative Economy, Irene Umar, underscored the deeper purpose behind the exhibition. In her remarks, she highlighted the role of art in promoting emotional resilience during difficult times.
“The world economy is in turmoil. The mental wellness of people around the world is also in turmoil. One way of healing is through art,” she said.
She also emphasised the power of Indonesian artists to give voice to collective emotions: “Art exhibitions can bring a ray of hope for humanity because the work produced comes from the heart.”
In addition to visual art, the exhibition features music and performing arts curated by Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation in collaboration with RURUradio. Performers include FLOAT, Sal Priadi, Reda Gaudiamo, and R E M (Rien Djamain, Ermy Kulit, and Margie Segers).
On the performance stage, the Prehistoric Body Theater presents A Song for Sangiran 17, a piece exploring the relationship between ancient heritage and contemporary physical expression.
Culture Minister Fadli Zon also lent his support, reflecting on Indonesia’s rich history of visual arts.
Fadli Zon said that the expression in fine arts has been recognised as highly rich since the MOOI Indie era with Raden Saleh, followed by the PERSAGI era led by S Soedjojono, the Young Indonesia artists, and continuing into the present day. He added that Indonesia’s contemporary art has been regarded as the finest in Southeast Asia.
Highlights of the fair include standout pieces such as Sit on the Bench by King Saladeen (MoT), Emotional Safeguard by Agugn and Sekar Puti (Srisasanti Gallery), Ayam Jantan by Yunizar (Gajah Gallery), Keep Rolling! by Iwan Suastika (D Gallerie), Muscle, Mud, and Blood #1 by Dzikra A.N., and Terbanglah Bunda by Yani Mariani (Kendys Sankhara). These works represent diverse approaches to form, material, and theme in modern sculpture.
