Art Jakarta Papers: Elevating Paper as Contemporary Practice

Set to take place on 6–8 February 2026, Art Jakarta Papers marks an important new chapter in Indonesia’s contemporary art landscape. Conceived as a focused offshoot of Art Jakarta, this dedicated fair places the spotlight on paper as a primary artistic medium, challenging long-held assumptions about its fragility and positioning it firmly within the contemporary market.

From drawings, prints, and works on paper to sculptures and installations that push material boundaries, Art Jakarta Papers offers a nuanced exploration of how artists engage with paper today. Rather than treating it as preparatory or secondary, the fair foregrounds paper as a site of experimentation, intimacy, and conceptual rigor. This approach opens space for collectors and audiences to engage more closely with process, mark-making, and material sensitivity.

Held just months after Art Jakarta 2025, the fair builds on the momentum of the main event while carving out a distinct identity—one that encourages slower looking and deeper engagement. By bringing together galleries, artists, and collectors around a shared medium, Art Jakarta Papers aims to cultivate a sustainable and informed market for paper-based contemporary art in Indonesia.

In a region where artistic innovation continues to thrive across forms and disciplines, Art Jakarta Papers positions paper not as a limitation, but as a powerful vehicle for ideas—quiet, radical, and enduring.

Ogoh-Ogoh & Nyepi: Bali’s Ritual of Chaos and Silence

Ogoh-Ogoh Festival Image Source : Prokomsetda.bulelengkab.go.id Ogoh-Ogoh Night (Pengerupukan) On the eve of Nyepi, Bali erupts into controlled chaos. Giant demonic effigies called ogoh-ogoh are paraded through villages in a ritual known as Pengerupukan. These towering sculptures—often grotesque, humorous, or politically satirical—represent bhuta kala (negative forces or chaotic energies). Built collaboratively by local youth groups (sekaa teruna), they are carried through the streets to gamelan accompaniment before being symbolically destroyed, usually by burning. Ogoh-Ogoh: Manifesting the Unseen Ogoh-ogoh emerge from Balinese Hindu cosmology, particularly the concept of bhuta kala—forces of time (kala) and chaotic energy (bhuta) that exist alongside the human realm. On the eve of Nyepi, known as Pengerupukan, these energies are symbolically drawn out and given form. The creation of ogoh-ogoh is not simply decorative. It reflects the Balinese worldview of Rwa Bhineda—the coexistence ...

Balinese Art Styles: A Thousand Years of Creative Expression

The island of Bali, nestled in the Indonesian archipelago, is renowned not only for its stunning beaches and vibrant culture but also for its rich artistic heritage. Balinese art is a dynamic and ever-evolving tapestry that has captivated the world with its unique styles, expressive forms, and deep cultural significance. Over a thousand years of history, Balinese artists have developed an array of distinct art styles, each bearing the imprints of tradition, spirituality, and innovation. In this exploration of Balinese art styles, we delve into the evolution, characteristics, and significance of these remarkable creative traditions. Kamasan painting is a classical style originating from the village of Kamasan, known for its narrative depictions of Hindu epics and local folklore. These paintings are characterized by their use of natural pigments and intricate, stylized figures. Balinese sculpture is another prominent art form, with artisans expertly crafting intricate stone and wood c...

Indonesia Steps Forward at Art Central Hong Kong 2026

Indonesia’s presentation at Art Central Hong Kong 2026 did not rely on spectacle. It was measured, coordinated, and quietly strategic. Through the Ministry of Culture’s MTN Seni Budaya program, Rising Currents brought a group of Indonesian galleries into one of Asia’s most active art circuits with a level of structure that has often been missing in past international appearances. For those who follow Southeast Asia closely, the shift is noticeable. Indonesian art has long held depth. Strong studio practices, distinct visual languages, and a layered relationship to history and identity. What it has lacked is consistent access to the platforms where global conversations take shape. This is where Rising Currents begins to matter. Eight galleries participated, spanning Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Bali. The inclusion of spaces such as Bali’s Puri Art Gallery signals something important. Bali is often read through its legacy. Tourism, tradition, craft. But within that, a contemporary ...

Art in Bali

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