JAKARTA - The art of carving Jepara was brought to the main room of the National Museum of Indonesia through the "TATAH" 2026 Exhibition. This exhibition not only exhibits beautiful works, but also opens up an important issue that is often overlooked, namely the future of carving craftsmen.
The exhibition, which was opened by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, was held in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture through Museums and Cultural Heritage, the Jepara Regency Government, HIMKI Jepara Raya, and the Kartini House.
Fadli said this exhibition became a space for appreciation, education, and a meeting between tradition and innovation.
"Through this activity, we can see how cultural values continue to be brought to life in works, while opening up wider development opportunities in the future," said Fadli.
The exhibition "TATAH" is based on historical research. The big narrative, "Suluk-Sulur-Jepara", traces the long journey of the art of carving Jepara from time to time. The exhibition is open to the public from April 30 to July 5, 2026.
More than 30 carving works are displayed. Among them are Macan Kurung, Kursi Kartini, and a number of historical artifacts. Visitors can also see a reconstruction of the brack or the sculptor's workroom, complete with traditional tools and techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Fadli assessed that the preservation of Jepara carvings must be included in more tangible work. Cultural heritage, he said, is not enough to be maintained as an identity. It must add value to artisans, creative industries, employment, and the community's economy.
Director of "TATAH" 2026, Veronica Rompies, said that this exhibition is not merely a showcase of creative products. The carvings of Jepara are placed as works of art that store history, skills, and human values.
He hopes that the impact of the exhibition does not stop at the admiration of visitors. According to Veronica, attention to the carvings of Jepara must be translated into a system that provides solutions for the lives of tradition keepers.
The exhibition was also attended by a number of ambassadors of friendly countries, Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI Lestari Moerdijat, Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar, Regent of Jepara Witiarso Utomo, and General Chairman of the DPP HIMKI Abdul Sobur.
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