Moeldoko Among The Collaboration Of Japanese And Indonesian Painters, The World Is In Peace

YOGYAKARTA - A warm and symbolic cultural meeting took place at the Nasirun Gallery, Yogyakarta, Thursday, August 7, afternoon. In an atmosphere full of empathy and creativity, two maestros from two countries: Nasirun (Indonesia) and Bunta Inoue (Japan) collaborate spontaneously on a canvas, producing a work entitled World in Peace.

This collaboration began when Nasirun painted a large circle depicting a complex earth. At the end of his work, he added a picture of the Japanese flag, as a tribute and a symbol of hope.

Without hesitation, Bunta Inoue immediately responded to Nasirun's brush sweep by painting plants that began to grow, bright blue skies, and flying pigeons. A metaphor for hope and revival. He closed his work by drawing Indonesian red and white flags side by side with Japanese property.

"I was very enthusiastic about being at the Nasirun Gallery. Without a plan, I immediately felt like painting with him. It felt like talking soul to soul," said Bunta Inoue, known for Japan's distinctive visual spirituality style.

Nasirun replied, "I started from an integer that symbolizes a complicated earth. But when I saw Bunta continuing with the sky, pigeons, and new buds, I knew that this was about hope." Nasirun admitted that she was touched by the final results of their work.

This event is part of a series of cultural diplomacys in Japan's 'Friend-Ship' Japan' Indonesia Cultural Dialogue, which previously featured cross-cultural discussions between Generals (Ret.) Moeldoko and Iehiro Tokugawa at the Indonesia Expo 2025 Osaka Pavilion, Japan. Now, the peaceful narrative continues in Yogyakarta through fine arts.

This art collaboration was also attended by the TNI Commander (2013-2015) General TNI (Ret.) Moeldoko, the main initiator of this cultural diplomacy program. In his remarks, he emphasized that the world now needs new ways to build peace, and art can be the answer.

"I am very happy to see a soft form of diplomacy like this. The world is currently experiencing wounds, conflicts, and disintegration. But I believe, through art, we can start a dialogue between nations that is more honest, more pure, and touch our hearts," said Moeldoko. I hope the dialogue between the two maestros as outlined on this canvas can be the initial symbol for the revival of brotherhood of nations in the world," he added.

The work World In Peace created in a spontaneous atmosphere will be the starting point for the long-term collaboration between the two great artists. Nasirun and Bunta agreed to hold a joint exhibition next year, featuring collaborative works inspired by peace values, spirituality, and cross-cultural brotherhood.

Previously, in a series of Sakuranesia Friends-Ship events at Expo 2025 Osaka, Moeldoko and Iehiro Tokugawa had led discussions with the theme peace, Human Security & Dignity', where art was also the main topic in efforts to build cross-border diplomacy. Dance shows, music, cultural mementos, and tours to Nanto City have shown the commitment of the two countries in using culture as a bridge to peace.

In a world full of tensions, such art is an alternative narrative, offering dialogue space that is not full of ego, but empathy. A circle of wounds can turn into a garden of hope. Peaceful birds can fly over red and white.

And from Yogyakarta today, the world is once again reminded: that peace is not the result of weapons, but from sweeping the brush and sincere intentions.