Art Jakarta officially wrapped up its 16th edition, held from October 2 to 4, 2026, at JIExpo Kemayoran. The fair’s successful return demonstrated the steady momentum and resilience of Indonesia’s contemporary art sector amidst shifting economic and political conditions.
Building upon earlier spin-off events held this year, the flagship edition expanded its scope to showcase a broader range of artistic media. The event welcomed 75 galleries in total, comprising more than half from Indonesia alongside 33 international galleries, 19 of which were participating for the very first time.
Expanding Space for Regional Contemporary Art
To provide greater visibility to diverse artistic practices across the region, the 2026 edition introduced several dedicated sections across the venue. SPOT displayed spatial installations beyond conventional booth formats by artists including Nguyễn Phương Linh and Angki Purbandono, while SCENE brought together 39 artist collectives from various Indonesian cities.
Institutional collaborations were spotlighted in AJX through Korea Focus, which featured 14 young South Korean galleries alongside ISI Bali's Natta-Cita Art Space. Additionally, the newly debuted SCOPE section presented MTN Market to gather six emerging regional art fairs from Malang to Gorontalo, complemented by AJ Talk for public dialogues moderated by Mature.idn.
Fostering Growth Across the Ecosystem
Speaking at the opening press conference, Fair Director Tom Tandio noted that Art Jakarta continues to grow as a premier platform connecting contemporary art scenes in Indonesia with the wider international community. He emphasized that as the event expands, every element supporting the art infrastructure evolves alongside it.
“It is our great pleasure to present this year’s Art Jakarta, following the successes of Art Jakarta Gardens and Art Jakarta Papers earlier this year. Art Jakarta continues to grow as a premier art fair connecting contemporary art scenes across Indonesia and the wider world. As we grow, the many communities and elements that make up the art ecosystem grow together with us: artists, galleries, collectors, curators, art lovers, and many others." he said.
Tandio also highlighted major new initiatives introduced this year to advance the local art sector, including the international gallery showcase under Korea Focus and regional fair representation in SCOPE. He concluded by expressing his hope that Art Jakarta will continuously serve and nurture the broader art ecosystems across the region.
