Culture Ministry Receives Donation of Otto and Agus Djaya Works

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture has officially received a donation of paintings and books by legendary Indonesian artists Otto Djaya and Agus Djaya from the Holst family. The handover and signing of the official transfer document took place at the Ministry of Culture’s office in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday September 14, 2026, marking the transfer of ownership of the valuable collection to the state.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, expressed his appreciation for the Holst family’s commitment to collecting Indonesian artworks, conducting research, and publishing an important reference book on Otto Djaya. He said the collection holds significant value for preserving and advancing knowledge of the history of Indonesian visual art.

Fadli said the government would discuss the most appropriate placement for the entire collection, which is now officially state-owned. The Ministry of Culture also plans to organize a special exhibition featuring works by Otto Djaya and Agus Djaya as a tribute to the two masters and an appreciation of the family’s dedication as collectors.

Representing the Holst family, Inge Marie Holst said research on Otto Djaya had been conducted for more than 15 years through archival research and interviews in Indonesia and the Netherlands. She described Otto Djaya’s works as visual records reflecting social and cultural observations of his time that should continue to be preserved.

The Holst family donated 275 paintings and sketches by Otto Djaya, along with 36 books and art reference documents related to the works of Otto Djaya and Agus Djaya. The collection includes paintings such as “Tari Jaipong,” “Kondangan,” “Kuda Lumping,” and “Jaka Tarub and the Seven Angels.”

In addition to the artworks, the Holst family also donated 25 copies of a book on Otto Djaya and a book compiling sketches by Agus Djaya. The donations are part of efforts to strengthen the preservation of Indonesia’s art history heritage while providing reference materials for the public and researchers.

To expand public access to the artistic heritage, the Ministry of Culture will work with relevant parties to translate the reference book on Otto Djaya into Indonesian. The initiative is expected to broaden public access to art literature and knowledge about the artistic journeys of Indonesian masters.

The Ministry of Culture reaffirmed its commitment to preserving, caring for, and making the works of Indonesia’s visual art masters more widely known. The utilization of the collection is expected to support education and introduce the history of Indonesian visual art to future generations.