Jakarta has once again become an important meeting point in the Indonesian contemporary art landscape through the holding ofIndonesian Women Artists (IWA) #4: ON THE MAP. Located atNational Gallery of Indonesia, this exhibition was officially opened on Thursday, April 9, 2026 by the Deputy Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, Veronica Tan.
Hosted by Museums and Cultural Heritage through the National Gallery of Indonesia, and in collaboration with Six Pines Foundation, the fourth edition of IWA is indeed present as the closing of the previous exhibition series which has been held since 2007, but it is certain that it will be present in a larger and broader format, such as biennial or three-year for Indonesian female artists in the future.
Curated by Carla Bianpoen, Vidhyasuri Utami, and Bagus Purwoadi, IWA #4 showcases 12 works by 12 female artists from various ages. The twelve female artists are Bibiana Lee, Citra Sasmita + Cinta Bumi Artisan, Dyantini Adeline, Endang Lestari, Ines Katamso, Irene Agrivina, KaNA Fuddy Prakoso, Ni Nyoman Sani, Nona Yoani Shara, Rani Jambak, Tara Kasenda, and Ve Dhanito.
Reading the Map, Reading the Body
The concept of "map" adopted in this exhibition is not simply a geographical representation, but an attempt to map the artists' personal experiences, with the body as the starting point. The works then become reflections of those experiences. Interestingly, this approach doesn't stop at the individual realm. It extends to broader relationships, dividing the 12 works into three broad themes: the body, nature, and cultural heritage.
Across Generations, Across Mediums
In addition to showcasing works by young artists, IWA #4 also showcases works by veteran female artists such as Umi Dachlan and Lucia Hartini, presented alongside contemporary practices from a younger generation. It even includes works by deceased female artists such as Sri Astari Rasjid, Marida Nasution, and Hildawati Soemantri.
Furthermore, the exhibition's exploration of media also demonstrates the expansion of art practice into interdisciplinary realms. Science, technology, and experimental approaches are integral to the works on display. This confirms that the artistic practices of Indonesian women artists today are not only reflective but also progressive and adaptive to changing times.
Towards a More Inclusive Ecosystem
This exhibition also serves as a reminder that art history is never final. It is always open to being rewritten, with perspectives that are more inclusive, more diverse, and more honest about the complexities of human experience. Ultimately, IWA #4 is not just about putting women “on the map,” but about questioning who drew that map, and how we reread its lines today.
The IWA#4 exhibition will take place at Building A, National Gallery of Indonesia from April 10 to June 30, 2026. It is hoped that with the exhibition's long duration, the public will gain comprehensive experience and knowledge about the figures of female artists in Indonesia, as well as spread inspiration for other female artists to continue working in the Indonesian fine arts realm.
