RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - After a six-year hiatus, Indonesia returns to the 2026 Venice Biennale to showcase its cultural evolution on the global art stage. Culture Minister Fadli Zon emphasized that the upcoming exhibition is more than just an art show, but also a vital international arena to promote the Indonesian identity to a worldwide audience.

Speaking in Jakarta on Friday, March 6, 2026, the Minister highlighted the event as a premier opportunity to spotlight the country’s exceptional creative minds and historical depth.

"This is an opportunity to promote our culture because we have so many talents, skills, and, of course, great artists and cultural figures," he said, as quoted by Antara.

To provide a comprehensive narrative, the Indonesian Pavilion will feature a curated selection of art books and visual archives alongside contemporary masterpieces.

These references are intended to bridge the gap between modern creativity and the nation's ancient roots. They offer international visitors a glimpse into the diverse genres, styles, and schools of thought that define Indonesian art.

The Minister underscored that Indonesia's artistic tradition is among the oldest in the world. He cited recent archaeological breakthroughs to reinforce the country’s historical standing.

"Just this past January 22, the world's oldest prehistoric cave painting was declared to be in Indonesia, dating back 67,800 years. So, this artistic tradition is not something new, but a long-standing one found in Sulawesi, Kalimantan, and Sumatra," he explained.

This historical weight will underpin the Indonesian presentation, which seeks to connect ancestral heritage with modern talent.

For this 2026 edition, which opens to the public on May 9 and runs through November 22, the Indonesian Pavilion will occupy a distinct location in a graphic arts school building in Venice.

Minister Fadli has appointed Aminuddin TH Siregar, a renowned curator from the National Gallery of Indonesia, to lead the delegation. Aminuddin will oversee 14 selected artists whose works will be presented through a unique lens of historical and visual context, utilizing old books, lithographs, and graphic archives to tell the story of the nation's aesthetic journey.

Aminuddin explained that the conceptual framework involves displaying various graphic works related to Indonesia's past to provide a vivid picture of its artistic development. This participation is part of a broader government strategy to strengthen the domestic arts ecosystem under the National Talent Management framework.

By integrating historical archives with contemporary voices, the Culture Ministry aims to solidify Indonesia's position as a cultural powerhouse on the world stage. ***