At the recent ArtMoments Jakarta 2026, one is reminded that while artworks may be for sale, art — along with the meaningful connections it creates — is not.
By JOSE PAOLO S. DELA CRUZ
On display near the entrance of this year’s ArtMoments Jakarta venue at the Agora Ballroom was a 250 x 200 cm. oil on canvas artwork by Yue Minjun. “Sunglow,” as the piece is called, is valued at $1.1 million. Beside it, Ai Weiwei’s porcelain “Dragon Vase” sat within its glass case, priced at a somewhat humbler $250,000.
This year’s staging of ArtMoments Jakarta, which ran from June 4 to 7, also happened in a much bigger space than last year, powered by the exquisite collections of 70 exhibitors and hundreds of artists from various parts of the region. The numbers, indeed, were impressive — the biggest in the annual art event’s history since it first opened its doors in 2019.
But such figures were not the end-all and be-all for the organizers. “In conceptualizing this year’s fair, we wanted to highlight that life is not all about transactions. It’s not about give-and-take. Sometimes, it starts and grows and continues to grow with just giving, until you build something more lasting, more noble,” said Sendy Widjaja, co-founder and fair director of ArtMoments Jakarta, which helped sell almost $3 million worth of artworks during last year’s event.
These priceless connections were made even more apparent in the mix of this year’s exhibitors, which consisted not just of established art galleries, but also up-and-coming “hipster” galleries, as Sendy described them. “Hipster galleries,” Sendy clarified, “are like the Young British Artists group of the ’90s or Village Art Gallery [from the Philippines], which specializes in representing local artists.”
Inclusivity was also a buzzword in this year’s event, as Sendy and his team went the extra mile to attract more emerging artists who were part of artists’ collectives. “Not every artist has the privilege of being recruited by a gallery. Hopefully, platforms such as ours could help connect them eventually to the right gallery, or create opportunities that can help sustain their operations,” he explained.
Worthy offerings
This year’s curatorial theme, “Offerings,” certainly captured the fair’s evolving role as a platform for dialogue, exchange and artistic connection. “ArtMoments Jakarta 2026 is envisioned not only as a marketplace, but as a space for meaningful connection. Through the theme ‘Offerings,’ we explore how art can express care, gratitude, responsibility and cross-cultural dialogue,” said Sendy during the opening address.
In their speeches, Indonesian Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya and Vice Minister of Culture Giring Ganesha also underscored the importance of ArtMoments Jakarta as a strategic platform in strengthening Indonesia’s creative ecosystem.
Opening day was arguably the most exciting in this year’s four-day staging, as it culminated in a whimsical and thought-provoking performance by Henri Affandi. Through his piece “Sajja,” the artist reimagined artmaking as an act of devotion towards Mother Earth — showing how labor, cultivation and the entire process were an offering in themselves.
Also equal parts captivating and haunting wasAndita Purnama Sari’s three-hour performance art called “Ancestral Mantra Songgo Langit #2.” A diorama disguised as a framed painting, the artwork showcased a lady in white, sitting poignantly in the corner of a golden room. Even after the artist had left the frame, the eerie feel of the tableau lingered.
Looking past price tags and material values, I explored the labyrinthine art fair in the next couple of days with just one goal: to appreciate the artworks on display for what they are “truly” worth.
Captivating art
Having interviewed surrealist Filipino painter Demi Padua in the past, it gave this writer a swell of pride to see his works proudly displayed at the DF Art Agency booth. Not that being exhibited abroad was new to this gentleman, whose works have reached Paris, Tokyo, Venice and more.
With him in the FDF Art Agency booth were two of the Philippine art scene’s most respected personalities, art dealer Derek Flores and Leon Gallery’s Jaime Ponce de Leon, along with young collectors Vito Lim and Cedrick Yang, who also flew in from Manila for this occasion.
Guests trooped in to view Demi’s colorful works, which were a mix of his signature masked paintings, coupled with grenades embellished with frosting, and a curious series of decorative donut sculptures. “Donuts are the newest of the works on display here,” said Demi in the vernacular. “They extend the concept of my layered artworks. You can drizzle and embellish a donut with different flavors, but no matter the color or the texture, they are still just donuts at their core.”
Also equally captivating were artworks from Singapore’s Wasuka Art Gallery, whose crop of contemporary artists showcased both technical mastery and imagination. Among my favorites were Karina Simon’s pencil drawings, which looked like realistic swaths of acrylic paint on paper, followed by a series of Hermes paper bags, which were used by Andre Tan as a canvas for his drawings of Mickey Mouse, Spiderman, Astroboy and other pop culture icons.
On a more commercial note, even luxury electronic vehicle brand Denza found a way to celebrate with the art community. Artists Arief Witjaksana and Gabriel Cheah teamed up with ArtMoments Jakarta’s official mobility partner to present a multisensory journey where design, sound, innovation and craftsmanship converge.
Witjaksana’s “The Mallacan Leisure,” which saw the Denza D9 wrapped in a colorful sticker designed by the artist, was undoubtedly a crowd favorite. “The sticker can be removed, but someone already expressed interest in buying the car with the sticker still on it. He says he wants to use the car to his office every day!” reveals Sendy.
Thoughtfully layered
This year’s edition also presented a thoughtfully layered program that balanced artistic legacy with fresh perspectives.
ArtMoments Masters, for one, has always been a distinctive initiative designed to celebrate and preserve the legacy of Southeast Asia’s artistic pioneers, while promoting responsible stewardship and confidence in collecting through authenticated artworks.
Curated exhibitions such as “Intimacy of Offerings,” on the other hand, explored deeply personal interpretations of the fair’s central theme. “It’s a special section that showcases the works of around 30 artists who were selected during our open call,” explained Sekar Kinasih, media and community relations lead of ArtMoments Jakarta.
An interactive moment that allowed visitors to doodle on a painting also reinforced how art can be a shared experience for everyone.
The fair also introduced “Charity Moments,” which emphasized the role of the arts as a catalyst for social impact and collective empathy. “Our good intentions and efforts as a society are very much needed these days, in the face of uncertainties,” added Sendy, referring to both local and international conflicts.
Plush points
While exploring the colorful and vibrant halls of the Agora Ballroom was no chore, it, too, could be quite rigorous. Fortunately for me, finishing 10,000 steps in the exhibit area always ended in a relaxing time at the Pan Pacific Jakarta, whose views from my 85th-floor bedroom are an artwork on its own.
Fitted with a plush king-size bed and a spacious toilet and bath that came complete with Jo Loves Mango Thai Lime amenities, it was the perfect retreat after an enjoyable day at the art fair. The hotel’s magnificent indoor pool, as well as its rooftop bar and restaurants, were also perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.
It also helped that the hotel is centrally located and is just a short ride away to nearby malls and landmarks. It is, in fact, within the same area as the Autograph Tower, which is home to UP at Thamrin Nine, the tallest observatory deck in Indonesia. Sitting 385 meters above the city, the multi-level sky garden is best known for its panoramic 360-degree views and exciting attractions, such as a swing that is, might I add, not for the faint of heart!
Our final night in Jakarta was made even more memorable by an intimate bespoke dinner hosted by Pan Pacific Jakarta’s Ratrie Tathia and Fia Friyandari for members of the media at the hotel’s Pan Pacific Suite.
Executive chef Bastian Muntu started off the offbeat yet remarkable gustatory journey with a foie gras lollipop wrapped in cotton candy, followed by “Song of the Sea,” which featured Hokkaido scallops, prawns and salmon gravlax. The third course was a mouthwatering texturized bone marrow dish served with sourdough bread.
However, the surf and turf, consisting of prime Australian ribeye with truffle cooked to medium rare perfection, and the buttery soft river prawn stole the show. For dessert, the chef served a flash-frozen mango mint granita and passion fruit chamomile jelly with compressed pineapple and pear.
Served alongside a confection of mocktails and cocktails, the meal perfectly punctuated my three-day sojourn in Jakarta — a feast for the soul and the senses that was worth the trip.