Indonesia Showcases "Printing the Unprinted" at the 2026 Venice Biennale

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ministry of Culture has presented the Indonesian Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition 2026. This presence is part of Indonesia's cultural diplomacy efforts to strengthen the position of Indonesian fine arts on the international stage.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon stated that Indonesia's participation in the Venice Biennale is a significant milestone, as it marks the first time the country is participating under the newly established Ministry of Culture.

"We believe that culture is not just a heritage, but also a foundation for the future. Indonesia is here not only to introduce our culture to the world but also to help shape the global conversation through art," he said in a press statement received on Saturday, May 9, 2026.

He also emphasized that Indonesia is a civilization of "megadiversity," consisting of over 17,000 islands, 1,340 ethnic groups, and 718 regional languages. This cultural richness, he noted, has been shaped by a long history of maritime exchange, spiritual traditions, and artistic innovation -- a living heritage that continues to evolve today.

"Indonesia possesses one of the most dynamic cultural ecosystems in the world. In fact, our prehistoric heritage shows that this archipelago has long been one of humanity's oldest centers of creativity," he added.

Furthermore, he believes that Indonesia has the potential to become a global cultural hub where tradition, imagination, and the future converge. This spirit is reflected in the pavilion's theme, "Printing the Unprinted," which celebrates the power of imagination that transcends boundaries.

"Through the works displayed in the pavilion, Indonesian artists present imaginative narratives that fill unrecorded spaces," he explained.

Meanwhile, Chief Curator of the National Gallery, Aminudin TH Siregar, stated that the project brings together seven Indonesian artists from across generations: Agus Suwage, Syarizal Pahlevi, Nurdian Ichsan, R.E. Hartanto, Theresia Agustina Sitompul, Mariam Sofrina, and Rusyan Yasin.

Through various artistic approaches, "Printing the Unprinted" presents a dialogue about memory, traces, and new possibilities within contemporary Indonesian printmaking on the world stage.

"The idea is to showcase several graphic works related to Indonesia’s past, including old books, lithographs, and various other visual materials that provide a glimpse into the development of Indonesian fine arts," he concluded. (Diva Rifdah/EN)