Indonesia to elevate Jepara woodcarving to fine art status

JEPARA, Indonesia (MNTV) — For centuries, Jepara has been synonymous with masterful woodcarving, a cultural legacy that blends technical precision with deep symbolic meaning. 

Today, this artistic heritage is stepping into a new chapter as Indonesia moves to redefine Jepara carving as part of its national fine art repertoire, reports RRI.

This heritage will take center stage at the Tatah 2026 Exhibition, scheduled to run in Jepara from April 17 to May 17. 

The event is being developed as a strategic platform to elevate Jepara’s carving tradition from a handicraft to a high-value art form with strong national and international visibility.

In line with this effort, the Ministry of Culture has announced plans to propose Jepara woodcarving for recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. 

Culture Minister Fadli Zon stressed that Jepara’s carvings should no longer be viewed merely as craftwork but as fine art with substantial cultural and economic importance.

During a visit to the Wood Carving Art Studio in Senenan, Jepara, where he reviewed pieces being prepared for the Tatah 2026 Exhibition, Fadli noted the rising appreciation for Jepara’s artistry. “Here we can see that Jepara carving works are receiving high appreciation,” he said.

The minister emphasized the need for downstreaming to position Jepara carving firmly within the fine art sphere, highlighting that Tatah 2026 is being curated as an art exhibition rather than a craft fair. 

“There are works that take months, even years, to complete as extraordinary artistic expressions from the craftsmen,” he said. Such dedication, he added, must be encouraged so Jepara carvings gain recognition as singular works of art rather than mass-produced goods.