Art Jakarta successfully staged the inaugural Art Jakarta Papers 2026 at City Hall, Pondok Indah Mall 3. The four-day art week, held from 5 to 8 February 2026, featured 28 galleries, all presenting works on paper. The event also included solo presentations by Indonesian artists, collaborative partner showcases, and a series of public programmes highlighting the role of paper within local contemporary art practices.
The first edition welcomed 9,289 visitors, reflecting consistent public interest in local art events and fairs. Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, the event received strong support from collectors and the local art community. Presented in a fresh new format, the fair also attracted new collectors and first-time art audiences, many of whom were drawn to the distinctive formats and approaches found in paper-based works.
Beyond gallery presentations, visitors were captivated by a monumental sculptural installation by Iwan Effendi — a 2.5-metre-tall paper doll that drew attention from audiences of all ages. The Ruang MES 56 collective hosted an engaging cyanotype photogram workshop, where participants enthusiastically experimented with light-based photographic techniques and paper composition under the guidance of the collective’s facilitators.
On Saturday and Sunday, 7–8 February 2026, the fair presented AJ Talks, a discussion series focusing on paper within contemporary art. Topics explored included the position of works on paper within the art ecosystem, conservation challenges in tropical climates, international market opportunities for Indonesian paper artists, the evolution of paper-based practices, paper as an experimental medium, and restoration. The sessions brought together artists, curators, galleries, collectors and conservators, attracting strong audience engagement. The public programme also featured a workshop by Yogyakarta-based Krack! Printmaking Collective, introducing visitors to screen-printing techniques.
myBCA Space presented a monolithic installation by artist Rudy Atjeh. Constructed from layered paper fragments forming a tree — symbolising human growth — the work invited visitors into a semi-transparent cube installation, where they could interact by hanging paper origami from the ceiling. This interactive element encouraged deeper public engagement with the artwork and its concept.
Sucor Asset Management presented Sucor AM Corner, an interactive space featuring artist Naufal Abshar, who reinterpreted six chess pieces into papier-mâché sculptural characters. Using chess as a metaphor for investment strategy, the installation offered three levels of complexity tailored to different investment preferences. Visitors were invited to play chess with one another and engage with Sucor AM representatives, creating meaningful interactions while learning about the company’s values and offerings.
This year, Art Jakarta continues its programme series, including Art Jakarta Papers; Art Jakarta Gardens, entering its fifth edition at Hutan Kota by Plataran on 5–10 May 2026; and its flagship fair, Art Jakarta, taking place at JIExpo Kemayoran on 2–4 October 2026. Through this ongoing series, Art Jakarta reinforces its role as a sustainable platform supporting Indonesia’s art ecosystem while fostering dialogue and exchange within the regional contemporary art scene.
“For Nadi, our first participation proved very positive. We met many new collectors, and the strong enthusiasm was clear from the large number of visitors throughout the fair period. The accessible nature of paper as a medium also makes newcomers to the art world feel less hesitant to start conversations with us.”
— Dhira Dwinanda, Gallery Director, Nadi Gallery
“The inaugural edition of Art Jakarta Papers demonstrated the organiser’s commitment to developing Indonesia’s art ecosystem. The discussions and warm responses to the works we presented — from emerging young artists to large-scale paper-based pieces — serve as strong indicators of the dedication invested in preparing this exhibition.”
— Megan Arlin, Director, ara contemporary
“Art Jakarta Papers 2026 highlights how paper can function not only as an artistic medium, but also as a space for ideas and experimentation. We were encouraged by visitors’ curiosity and openness to engage with works that require time, closeness, and conversation. We value this focused platform and the opportunity to introduce our artists’ practices to an audience willing to observe, ask questions, and reflect.”
— Orton Huang, Director, YIRI ARTS
