JAKARTA - Minister of Culture (Menbud) Fadli Zon emphasized that Indonesian paper-based fine art should no longer be on the fringes of the global art ecosystem. According to him, the paper medium actually has a long historical roots and the power of expression of the Nusantara culture which often escapes the international spotlight.
The statement was made by Fadli Zon when inaugurating the Art Jakarta Papers 2026 Exhibition in Jakarta, Thursday (5/2). This exhibition is part of the Art Jakarta 2026 series and will be held at City Hall, Pondok Indah Mall 3, on February 6-8, 2026.
"This is an important breakthrough. Since the 7th century, the archipelago has known the daluang from the bark for manuscripts, paintings, to wayang beber. This means that paper is not a new medium in our culture, but part of a long history of cultural expression," said Menbud Fadli Zon.
He assessed that the richness of Indonesian fine art even surpassed the term diversity. "Indonesia has entered the category of megadiversity. This must be reflected in a strong and sustainable fine art ecosystem," he said.
Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said that fine art is one of the strategic sectors of the five cultural ecosystems that are being strengthened by the government, along with film, music, performing arts, and literature. The interest of international collectors in the works of Indonesian artists, he said, is proof of real competitiveness.
This exhibition is also directly associated with National Talent Management. Through Art Jakarta Papers 2026, young artists from various regions get a space to exhibit, build networks, and interact with international art players. "This is an important path to build the trajectory of national talent," he said.
Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized that collaboration between the government, Art Jakarta, the art community, and the private sector must be strengthened so that Indonesian artists' works are no longer underrepresented. He hopes that Indonesian fine art works will be more widely included in the world's museum collections.
Art Jakarta Papers 2026 presents 28 galleries, consisting of 22 Indonesian galleries and six international galleries from Asia. The focus on paper-based works is considered a strategic step to expand and deepen the national art ecosystem.
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