Commemorating 125 Years of Bung Karno, Megawati Inaugurates 'Mata Hati Soekarno' Exhibition
The Chairperson of the PDI Perjuangan (PDIP), Megawati Soekarnoputri, opened an art exhibition titled “Mata Hati Soekarno” (The Heart’s Eye of Soekarno) at Le Gareca Space, Bantul, Yogyakarta, on Saturday, 6 June 2026. The opening of the exhibition coincided with the 125th anniversary of the birth of Indonesia’s Proclamator, Soekarno.
A total of 47 artists across different generations participated in the exhibition. Through paintings, graphic works, and drawings, they attempt to commemorate, interpret, and reflect upon the thoughts and historical traces of Bung Karno through various fine art mediums.
During the opening, Megawati sat alongside the Queen of the Yogyakarta Palace, Gusti Kanjeng Rini (GKR) Hemas. Also present was senior Yogyakarta artist and event organiser, Butet Kartaredjasa. Several national and regional figures attended the opening, including PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto, Deputy Governor of Jakarta Rano Karno, Mahfud MD, Ganjar Pranowo, Mayor of Yogyakarta Hasto Wardoyo, Regent of Gunungkidul Endah Subekti Kuntariningsih, and Regent of Bantul Abdul Halim Muslih.
The opening ceremony was marked by Megawati and GKR Hemas opening the glass doors of the exhibition space before touring the artists’ works. Prior to the tour, Butet Kartaredjasa explained the fundamental concept of the “Mata Hati Soekarno” exhibition to Megawati. He stated that the exhibition arose from the artists’ awareness to honour Bung Karno, not only as the first President of Indonesia but also as a proclaimer, ideologue, and the architect of Pancasila.
“This is our awareness as artists to honour an artist who also happened to be the first President of Indonesia, the Proclamator, the ideologue, and the architect of Pancasila, who has always inspired us from time to time,” said Butet.
He added that the artists wish to preserve the spirit of Bung Karno’s thoughts. “If there is the expression by Bung Karno, ‘do not merely inherit the ashes,’ then we wish to inherit the fire. That fire of Soekarno is what instils our ideological awareness as citizens of this nation,” Butante remarked.
The exhibition curator, Suwarno Wisetrotomo, noted that the committee challenged the artists to explore new perspectives and modes of expression in interpreting the figure of Bung Karno. He noted this was no easy task, as most participating artists belong to the 1990s generation, who did not directly experience the era of Bung Karno.
Nevertheless, the artists continue to re-examine the life journey, ideas, and national heritage of Bung Karno through their visual works. According to Suwarno, Bung Karno is a figure whose meaning is never exhausted. “Bung Karno is water, earth, wind, and fire that sustains, grows, spreads, and ignites hope from time to time until today,” he said.
He assessed that more than half a century after his passing, Bung Karno remains an undiminished source of inspiration. Therefore, the exhibition does not merely present artworks but also opens a space for public dialogue regarding the relevance of the thoughts and values inherited from the first President of the Republic of Indonesia.
“Celebrating Bung Karno with painting is by no means a coincidence. This is an appropriate celebration,” said Suwarno.
The “Mata Hati Soekarno” exhibition is part of a series of activities commemorating the 125th anniversary of Bung Karno’s birth in Yogyakarta. The exhibition also asserts that the thoughts, struggles, and intellectual legacy of the ‘Son of the Dawn’ remain alive and relevant for both current and future generations of Indonesia.