JAKARTA - Indonesia is preparing to return to the Venice Biennale 2026 after an absence of six years. Minister of Culture Fadli Zon held a discussion with the artists and the team who will depart, at the office of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta, Thursday, March 5, 2026.
The main exhibition is scheduled to open on May 9, 2026 and run until November 22, 2026. For this edition, the Indonesian Pavilion is planned to occupy the building of the graphic school in Venice. Not in the main area like some previous events. This requires a sharper presentation strategy so that Indonesia remains "visible" in the midst of competition from other country pavilions.
Fadli emphasized that this event is important as a stage for promoting Indonesian culture and talent. "This is also an opportunity to promote our culture. Because there are so many talents, talents of great cultural artists," he said.
In addition to works, the Indonesian Pavilion will also present Indonesian art books as a reference room. The target is clear. International visitors not only see the works, but also get a context about the diversity of genres, styles, and schools of Indonesian fine art.
Fadli also touched on the length of the Nusantara art tradition. He said on January 22 there was a statement that the oldest ancient painting in the world was in Indonesia with an age of 67,800 years, and emphasized that the tradition had long been present in Sulawesi, Kalimantan, and Sumatra.
The Ministry appointed Aminuddin TH Siregar as the curator of the Indonesian Pavilion. Indonesia is planned to send 14 artists. Aminuddin said the presentation concept would be strengthened by graphic references and visual archives. Starting from old books, lithographs, to other visual materials to map the traces of Indonesian visual art history.
The discussion was also attended by Giring Ganesha Djumaryo, Director General of Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cultural Cooperation Endah T.D. Retno Astuti, and the Director of Cultural Promotion Undri. The government links this participation with the National Talent Management framework and the strengthening of cultural diplomacy.
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