Jakarta, May 9, 2026 – Deputy Minister of Creative Economy/Deputy Head of the Creative Economy Agency, Irene Umar, visited Tonyraka Art Gallery in Ubud, Bali, to observe the national fine arts ecosystem that bridges local cultural heritage with global standards. The Deputy Minister emphasized that art galleries play an important role as creative interaction spaces that contribute to the advancement of Indonesia’s creative economy.
Deputy Minister of Creative Economy, Irene Umar, visited Tonyraka Art Gallery in Ubud, Bali, on Saturday (9/5/2026).
“Tonyraka Art Gallery is a concrete example of how creative spaces in Bali are able to preserve the relevance of local culture amid the rapid growth of contemporary art. Our presence here is to ensure that the fine arts ecosystem continues to receive the right policy support so that it can remain a driving force for an inclusive creative economy,” said the Deputy Minister in Bali on Saturday (9/5).
The Deputy Minister directly toured the exhibition area to observe how the gallery actively connects traditional Balinese art with the development of contemporary fine arts, both nationally and internationally. The visit was intended to map the challenges faced by art practitioners while strengthening synergy between the government and independent art spaces in creating a sustainable ecosystem for artists and collectors.
“The strength of Tonyraka lies in its ability to open healthy dialogue between Balinese local culture, modern art practices, and international art networks. We see great potential in the development of the fine arts subsector, which not only pursues aesthetic value but also sustainable economic value through art installations and other innovative works created by talented Indonesian artists,” added the Deputy Minister.
Documentation by Bureau for Communication of the Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
The visit also reaffirmed that amid the rapid advancement of technology, emotional intelligence and the human touch remain essential elements that cannot be replicated by artificial intelligence. Through the integration of logic and the art of living, preserving cultural roots remains the primary foundation that gives meaning and depth to every innovation created.
“Technology is a tool, but human emotion and creativity are the spirit that gives meaning to every work. That is why our emotional intelligence and cultural roots remain an irreplaceable foundation that no artificial intelligence can substitute,” said the Deputy Minister.
Founded by artist and collector Tony Raka, Tonyraka Art Gallery has developed into a creative interaction hub in Ubud that connects the richness of traditional Balinese art with national and international fine arts networks. The gallery focuses on the development of contemporary fine arts through various mediums such as painting, sculpture, installation art, and mixed media art, making it an important part of the contemporary art scene in Ubud.
Documentation by Bureau for Communication of the Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
The visit highlighted the importance of art galleries as bridges for local artists to reach the international stage. In addition, the combination of traditional values and modern elements in the exhibited works represents valuable intellectual assets that can strengthen Indonesia’s position as a center of fine arts in Southeast Asia.
Also accompanying the Deputy Minister were Special Staff to the Minister for Strengthening the Creative Economy Ecosystem and Data, Jago Anggara, and Expert Staff for Regulation and Institutional Affairs, Dahana Esa Putera.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
