Indonesian artists challenge colonial narratives at Venice Biennale
Through ‘Printing the Unprinted’, Indonesian artists revisit overlooked histories, cultural memory, relationship between Asia and Europe
JAKARTA, Indonesia (MNTV) — Indonesia is using graphic art to reclaim forgotten histories and challenge dominant global narratives at the Venice Biennale 2026 through its pavilion, “Printing the Unprinted,” at the Scuola Internazionale di Grafica in Venice, reports VOI.
This pavilion is organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Culture through the Directorate General of Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cultural Cooperation.
“Indonesia is not only present to introduce culture to the world, but also to participate in shaping global conversations through art,” said Minister of Culture Fadli Zon.
The Indonesian Pavilion has been curated by Aminudin TH Siregar. He chose the Scuola Internazionale di Grafica because the space was close to the practice of graphic art, printmaking, and process-based artistic production.
With this approach, works are not only made in Indonesia and then sent to Venice. Artists also develop works through residencies, dialogues, and direct collaboration at the exhibition site.
Printing the Unprinted presents seven artists across generations: Agus Suwage, Syahrizal Pahlevi, Nurdian Ichsan, R.E. Hartanto, Theresia Agustina Sitompul, Mariam Sofrina, and Rusyan Yasin.
This exhibition departs from a fictional narrative of a great 15th-century voyage inspired by the imaginary manuscript of Datu Na Tolu Hamonangan from Harajaon Pusuk Buhit in Sumatra.
From this narrative, the artists open a new interpretation of the relationship between Asia and Europe. They also question the global history that is often built through the stories of arrival, discovery, and claims.
Fadli said Indonesia has a large cultural capital. He referred to more than 17,000 islands, 1,340 ethnic groups, and 718 regional languages as the basis of Indonesia’s cultural ecosystem.
In addition to the main exhibition, the Indonesian Pavilion also held artist residencies, art discussions, workshops, and symposiums. This program involves seven young Indonesian talents through the National Talent Management of Cultural Arts with Negeri Elok.
The collaboration uses the art therapy approach. Art is placed as a space to treat memories, build empathy, and strengthen personal and collective resilience.
“Culture is a source of identity, values, and imagination, while the creative economy is a force that transforms culture into innovation, opportunity, and global influence,” said Fadli.
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