Jakarta, August 18, 2026 – Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf), Teuku Riefky Harsya, commended the opening of a painting exhibition organized by SBY Art Community (SAC) at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Jakarta. Held to commemorate the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, the exhibition also serves as a platform for artists to respond to global developments through their works.
Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf), Teuku Riefky Harsya (left), together with Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) (right) and German artist Christopher Lehmpfuhl (center), observes paintings at the “Art for Peace and a Better Future: Collaboration” exhibition organized by SBY Art Community (SAC) at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, Tuesday (August 18, 2026).
The exhibition opening was marked by a joint brushstroke by Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (Coordinating Minister AHY), Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky, Governor of DKI Jakarta Pramono Anung, Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, Minister of Transmigration Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara, and artist Christopher Lehmpfuhl.
Representing Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), Coordinating Minister AHY said the exhibition serves as a space for appreciating works of art as well as part of cultural diplomacy. He noted that the collaboration between Indonesian artists and Berlin-based artist Christopher Lehmpfuhl also strengthens the relationship between Jakarta and Berlin as sister cities.
“Art can serve as something that moderates and reconciles. Hopefully, the good relationship between the two cities and between the two countries can be bridged through collaborations like this. From time to time, artists from Germany could come here, and we could also go to Berlin to hold exhibitions like this,” said Coordinating Minister AHY at the event held on Wednesday (August 18).
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
The painting exhibition, Art for Peace and a Better Future: Collaboration, runs from August 18–30, 2026, at the Emiria Soenassa Gallery and Oesman Effendi Gallery, TIM. Minister of Creative Economy said that the Ministry of Creative Economy also facilitated several activities as part of the exhibition, including a workshop and an artist talk featuring Berlin-based artist Christopher Lehmpfuhl.
According to the Minister, the series of activities provides an opportunity for the public to learn about the creative processes and ideas behind the works, while also expanding interactions between Indonesian and international artists.
“We would like to express our appreciation to SBY Art Community and the artists who are part of it. Through the works on display, the artists convey their responses and reflections on the global situation today. These ideas can then be experienced and understood by the public, particularly audiences in Jakarta, through the language of art,” said the Minister of Creative Economy.
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
Governor of DKI Jakarta Pramono Anung also expressed his appreciation for SBY’s artworks, which he said possess strong values and meaning. Pramono also noted that the collaborative painting displayed at the exhibition carries a powerful message for the world.
“I feel grateful and have immense respect for Mr. SBY for his works. When I met with the Mayor of Berlin, there was also a painting by Christopher Lehmpfuhl in his office. I witnessed firsthand that Mr. SBY’s choice was not mistaken. And when I saw the collaborative painting earlier, I felt that it was a great work carrying a great message for the world,” said Pramono Anung.
Curated by Gie Sanjaya, the exhibition features 150 curated paintings, comprising 52 works by SBY, 29 works by Christopher Lehmpfuhl, 63 works by artists from SBY Art Community, five works by young artists, and one collaborative work. The works were created by artists with backgrounds from ISI Yogyakarta, ISI Solo, ITB Bandung, IKJ Jakarta, as well as independent artists.
Berlin-based artist Christopher Lehmpfuhl said that his meeting with SBY in 2024 developed into a friendship as well as an artistic collaboration. Christopher Lehmpfuhl’s visit to Indonesia subsequently provided an opportunity to paint several landscapes together with Indonesian artists. According to him, the experience demonstrated a shared spirit among artists from both countries despite their different cultural backgrounds.
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
“I feel very proud to be part of this community. For me, it is important to build bridges between different nations and cultures. Art offers hope and can bring people together, providing positive perspectives. In challenging times like these, it is important for us to communicate with one another and learn from each other,” said Christopher Lehmpfuhl.
Minister of Creative Economy expressed hope that the collaboration within SBY Art Community will continue to grow and create more opportunities for Indonesian artists to create and build international networks.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of the Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
