Yogyakarta, June 18, 2026 — The Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta, through its Fine Arts Department, Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, is holding a fine art exhibition titled “FLOW” at the Bale Black Box Laboratory Gallery from June 18–21, 2026. This exhibition is a public presentation of the residency program results by Uruguayan artist Juan Manuel Rodriguez Arnabal.
The “FLOW” exhibition features 15 artists and showcases 26 works from a residency program. This activity is part of strengthening cultural diplomacy and marks the 60th anniversary of international cooperation between Indonesia and Uruguay.
During his residency, Juan Manuel Rodriguez Arnabal interacted with lecturers and students from the Fine Arts Department through a series of watercolor workshops, sketching workshops, artistic discussions, department and FSRD tours, gallery tours, artist tours, and a visit to Artjog. This program involved lecturers from ISI Yogyakarta’s Fine Arts Department, Deni Junaedi and Wiyono, along with 12 students as active participants.
The theme “Flow: Water, Journey, and Cultural Exchange” was chosen to represent the flow of ideas, cross-cultural journeys, and the exchange of artistic knowledge between Uruguay and Indonesia. The word “flow” refers to the water-based mediums used in the creative process, particularly watercolors and sketches, while also serving as a metaphor for cultural journeys that flow beyond geographical boundaries.
The exhibition opening will be held on June 18, 2026, coinciding with the closing of the residency program at the Fine Arts Department. This exhibition will showcase works resulting from the residency, documentation of workshops, documentation of visits to galleries and artist studios in Yogyakarta, archives of the creative process, and a space for dialogue among artists, academics, students, art communities, and the general public.
The Rector of ISI Yogyakarta, Dr. Irwandi, M.Sn., stated that this residency program demonstrates the strategic role of ISI Yogyakarta as an art higher education institution actively building international networks through creative practices and knowledge exchange.
“ISI Yogyakarta continues to open up cross-border collaboration because art has the ability to bring together people, ideas, and cultures. This Uruguayan artist residency not only produces works but also strengthens international experience for students and lecturers, while expanding ISI Yogyakarta's contribution to cultural diplomacy,” said the Rector.
According to him, the “FLOW” exhibition aligns with ISI Yogyakarta's commitment to strengthening its reputation as a world-class art university rooted in culture, open to global exchange, and impactful for society.
This program also serves as an important space for students to directly experience the creative process of international artists. Through watercolor and sketching workshops, students not only learn visual techniques but also understand how travel experiences, environmental observations, and cultural dialogues can be translated into works of art.
In the context of Indonesia–Uruguay relations, this exhibition strengthens the position of art as a bridge for diplomacy. The commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2026 will be an important moment to expand cultural cooperation, including through exhibitions, residencies, and artistic exchanges.
Through “FLOW,” ISI Yogyakarta affirms that an art campus functions not only as an educational center but also as a space for global encounters. From Yogyakarta, this residency process demonstrates that art is capable of connecting local and international experiences, enriching the academic ecosystem, and strengthening the role of culture as a universal language among nations.
The “FLOW” exhibition is open to the academic community, artists, art communities, international partners, and the general public at the Bale Black Box Laboratory Gallery from June 18–21, 2026.
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