Attending SBY Art Community Exhibition, Menbud Fadli Zon: Painting For Peace

Menbud Fadli Zon attended the SBY Painting Exhibition (Doc. Kemenbud)

JAKARTA Art not only talks about beauty, but also about hope. It was clear when the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon, opened an exhibition of the painting SBY Art Community entitled Art for Peace and Better Future at the 25 Hours Hotel The Oddbird, Jakarta, Saturday, September 6. This exhibition was born from the spirit of collaboration, reflection, and invitation to imagine a more peaceful world.

Menbud Fadli said this exhibition is not just an art expression space, but proof that culture never stops even though the world is hit by turmoil. "In the midst of an alarming situation, we can still work together. The art for peace theme is very relevant in the midst of anomalous world," he said.

He emphasized that cultural arts is a strengthening force. "Often politics divides, even triggers war. But art and culture actually reinforce. Culture is a binding power," he said.

This exhibition features 30 paintings of individual works and one collaborative painting worked on at GOR Lavani Cikeas. The works were present thanks to the collaboration between SBY Art Community and four well-known art campuses FSRD ITB, ISI Surakarta, ISI Yogyakarta, IKJ and four independent painters.

The 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia and founder of SBY Art Community, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, also gave a symbolic touch to the white canvas at the opening. "Through works of art, we want to prove that artists care about life, not only our nation, but also the world," said SBY.

The Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, added that painting also acts as cultural diplomacy as well as driving the creative economy. "If this ecosystem continues to be strengthened, Indonesia can become an influential center of art in the world," he said.

The event also attended the ranks of the Red and White Cabinet, including Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Minister of Transmigration Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Ossy Dermawan, and Deputy Chairperson of the MPR RI Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono. Their presence emphasized the importance of art as a medium of cross-sectoral solidarity.

Closing his remarks, Menbud Fadli hoped that this exhibition would be a door for more cultural spaces. "Hopefully works that link the heart, calm the soul, and strengthen the nation," he said.