Indonesia Brings Nusantara Imagination to Venice Biennale 2026

RRI.CO.iD, Venice - Indonesia has officially opened its national pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, also known as Venice Biennale 2026. The participation reflects the country’s commitment to strengthening cultural diplomacy on the global stage.

Carrying the theme “Printing the Unprinted,” the Indonesian Pavilion is located at Scuola Internazionale di Grafica in Venice. The exhibition preview began on May 7, while the public show runs from May 9 to November 22, 2026.

Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, said the event marks an important milestone for the country. It is Indonesia’s first participation at the Venice Biennale under the newly established standalone Ministry of Culture.

“We believe culture is not merely heritage, but also the foundation for the future,” Fadli Zon said during the opening ceremony, Friday, 7 May 2026 . He added that Indonesia came not only to introduce its culture, but also to shape global conversations through art.

The minister highlighted Indonesia’s vast cultural diversity, with more than 17,000 islands, 1,340 ethnic groups, and 718 local languages. He said this richness gives Indonesia strong potential to become one of the world’s cultural centers.

The exhibition brings together seven Indonesian artists from different generations, including Agus Suwage and Syahrizal Pahlevi. Through printmaking, the artists reinterpret history, identity, and the imagination of the Nusantara region.

Besides the main exhibition, the pavilion also features artist residencies, art discussions, workshops, and symposiums. These programs are designed to expand artistic exchange and strengthen Indonesia’s global creative network.

Through its presence at Venice Biennale 2026, Indonesia aims to show that art can serve as a bridge for diplomacy, collaboration, and international dialogue. The pavilion also presents a new perspective on history, imagination, and the future of culture.