Traces Of Lensa Guntur Soekarnoputra: 550 Photos Of Bung Karno At The 2025 Nusantara Photo Troubled Exhibition

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon attended the 2025 Nusantara Photos Geregar Exhibition officially opened at the Indonesian National Gallery (photo: dock. kemenbud)

JAKARTA A flashback of the nation's struggle was presented through 550 photos of the shots of Guntur Soekarnoputra, Bung Karno's eldest son. The 2025 Nusantara Photo Geregar Exhibition was officially opened at the Indonesian National Gallery, Saturday, June 7, by the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri. The Minister of Culture Fadli Zon who was also present also mentioned this exhibition as a "visual historical archive" that must be remembered by the younger generation.

These photos are not just portraits of the past, but portraits of the soul of the nation. Guntur has recorded history since 1956 from the face of ordinary people to national figures. The traces of Bung Karno and Bung Hatta in them are not just documentation, but inspiration," said Fadli Zon.

Opened to the public from June 8 to 13, 2025, this exhibition is a visual reflection space for the long journey of the Republic. The theme Potret of History and Life frames hundreds of Guntur photos taken from childhood to adulthood. From the independence ceremony, international meetings, to the moments of Bung Karno's family, everything was recorded in the framework of the lens.

Megawati emphasized the importance of this exhibition for the nation's collective memory. These photos recorded a history that was not widely known to the public. Including Bung Karno's difficult times, such as when he left the MPRS TAP No. 33. History is not just memorizing, but part of our identity," he said.

Guntur started a photography hobby while sitting in the sixth grade of the People's School. He took the camera to various overseas trips with his father, including to the United States and Europe. One of his cameras, Hasselblad, a gift from the USSR Embassy, was used to shoot high-quality public models and figures.

This exhibition is the second after his first exhibition in 1994 at the Depdikbud Fine Art Exhibition Building. The difference is, this time Guntur not only appeared as a witness to history, but also as a eclipse that conveyed Indonesia's story through his personal lens.

Not only presenting historical documentation, Gelegar Photo Nusantara is also a place of social concern. Some of the results of the activities are allocated to support the health and welfare of Indonesian artists. This exhibition also commemorates three important moments: Pancasila Birthday, Bung Karno Birthday, and Bung Karno's Death Day.

The 6th Vice President Try Sutrisno, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya, 2015-2018 Constitutional Court Chair Arief Hidayat, Ganjar Pranowo, Meutia Hatta, and cultural figures were also present. Senior photographer Arbain Rambey also held a photography workshop, sharing knowledge recording history through camera.

This is not an ordinary exhibition. This is a record of the nation's life through the eyes of a son of the President. Bung Karno and Bung Hatta remain eternal as proclaimers and founders of our fathers," concluded Fadli Zon.