Indonesia's 'scarred' art scene regroups following nationwide protests

Art Jakarta's 2024 edition (October 3-5) took place just weeks after nationwide anticorruption protests swept Indonesia and spread to other countries. The fair's director Tom Tandio noted that the demonstrations left a "scar" on the local art community, which had been vocal in organizing donations, attending protests, and sharing digital posters on social media. Despite low expectations due to economic uncertainty, the fair proceeded with new galleries like Ara Contemporary, which sold about 70% of its stand on opening day, featuring politically charged works such as Agung Harahap's manipulated photographs and Irfan Hendrian's paper installations referencing the 1998 anti-Chinese riots. The fair also overlapped with ruangrupa's 25th anniversary exhibition, which included interactive projects and talks promoting sociopolitical engagement.