Yogyakarta, May 19, 2026 — The Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta reaffirms its position as a leading art higher education institution in Indonesia through the organization of the National Drawing Exhibition “The Rise of Drawing – Drawing the Revival” Indonesia Raya Drawing. This exhibition was officially opened at R. J. Katamsi, ISI Yogyakarta, as part of Indonesia Drawing Month.
The exhibition opening was attended by the Rector of ISI Yogyakarta, Dr. Irwandi, M.Sn., the curatorial team, the initiators of Indonesia Raya Menggambar, artists, academics, students, art communities, and the general public. The presence of these various elements indicates that drawing is not only part of the academic process of fine arts but also developing as a space for the convergence of ideas, expressions, and intergenerational solidarity.
In this opening, ISI Yogyakarta serves as an important host for a national movement involving a network of 9 Regional Zones across Greater Indonesia. This exhibition embodies a shared spirit to revive drawing as a visual language close to people's lives, as well as a medium for interpreting social dynamics, diversity, and the nation's collective memory.
The Rector of ISI Yogyakarta, Dr. Irwandi, M.Sn., officially opened the exhibition. ISI Yogyakarta's presence as the venue for this national exhibition demonstrates the strategic role of the art campus in strengthening Indonesia's fine art ecosystem, through education, creation, curating, artistic research, and community service.
The exhibition “The Rise of Images – Drawing the Revival” is positioned not only as a space for presenting works but also as a momentum to reaffirm the importance of drawing in the creative process. Drawing serves as the basis for visual interpretation, a practice of sensitivity, and a means of developing ideas. In the context of higher art education, the practice of drawing remains important as a foundation for interdisciplinary creation.
The exhibition opening was also filled with remarks from the curatorial team, consisting of Dio Pamola, Syamsul Barry, Hajar Pamadhi, Ilham Khoiri, and Rusnoto. In addition, the President of Indonesia Raya Menggambar, EdoPop, gave a speech on the importance of drawing movements as a shared space for expression that can reach a wide audience.
The opening atmosphere became even more vibrant with a special performance by METIYEM and a series of events that brought a sense of togetherness between artists, academics, communities, and the public. This strengthens the exhibition's character as an open, participatory cultural space focused on strengthening the national visual arts network.
Through this exhibition, ISI Yogyakarta not only serves as a venue for artistic activities, but also as a center for knowledge production, dialogue, and the development of fine art practices. This event underscores ISI Yogyakarta's contribution to maintaining the continuity of artistic traditions, fostering new ideas, and expanding public access to meaningful artistic experiences.
The National Drawing Exhibition “The Rise of Drawing – Drawing the Revival” of Greater Indonesia Drawing is expected to be a significant milestone for the birth of new energy in the Indonesian fine art world. Through this activity, the culture of drawing continues to be enlivened as a creative practice that is relevant, inclusive, and close to the pulse of community life.
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