Raden Saleh Exhibition Space Opened at Jakarta’s Cikini Hub

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The historic legacy of Cikini has found a modern sanctuary through a new partnership between Artotel Group, PT Jakarta Propertindo (Perseroda), and the Jakarta Arts Council (DKJ). Together, they officially inaugurated a dedicated archival exhibition space at the newly operational Paviliun Raden Saleh ARTOTEL Curated (PRS) at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) or Ismail Marzuki Park in Central Jakarta.

By transforming the intersection of heritage and hospitality into a living gallery, the initiative seeks to reclaim the artistic spirit of the TIM, once the very grounds of maestro Raden Saleh Sjarief Boestaman’s residence. Radeh Saleh Sjarif Boestaman (1811 - 1880) is an Indonesian remarkable painter, he made many masterpiece paintings, one of them is The Arrest of Pangeran Diponegoro.

As reported by Antara, the launch marks a significant milestone in Jakarta’s cultural landscape, specifically addressing a decades-long void in the local art ecosystem. Chief Operating Officer of Artotel Group, Eduard Rudolf Pangkerego, emphasized that the opening coincides with the commencement of the hotel's operations, solidifying its role as a cultural hub.

"This exhibition is our first step in presenting relevant and sustainable cultural programs. As part of the art ecosystem in Ismail Marzuki Park, Raden Saleh Pavilion is expected to become a collaborative space for artists, curators, communities, and the general public to exchange ideas and inspiration," said Eduard during the opening ceremony in Jakarta on Monday, April 21, 2026.

Titled Raden Saleh & Cikini: Genealogy of Space, Art, and Memory, the exhibition employs an archive-based curatorial approach to navigate the historical evolution of Cikini. Visitors are guided through a reflective and educational journey featuring visual documentation and historical narratives that trace the area’s identity as Jakarta’s creative epicenter.

Beyond enhancing the guest experience with a culturally rich atmosphere, the hotel aims to serve as a strategic meeting point for art enthusiasts and the broader community. This initiative effectively bridges the gap between high-end hospitality and grassroots cultural preservation.

The synergy between the hospitality industry and art institutions is viewed as a vital engine for revitalizing Jakarta’s historical narratives. Chairperson of the Jakarta Arts Council, Bambang Prihadi, highlighted the profound necessity of such a facility, noting that it restores an essential component of the TIM ecosystem that had been absent for thirty years.

"After more than 30 years, TIM lost its art guesthouse which supported the needs of artists, especially those from outside Jakarta. The mission for all of us here is to prioritize creativity. Since the beginning, that hasn't changed, there is creative art and entertainment art, this is the place for creative art," remarked Bambang.

Located on the 8th floor of the Raden Saleh Pavilion at the Selasar Nashar art space, the exhibition opened to the public, art lovers, and hotel guests starting April 21, 2026. ***