HWP and Textile Museum Present Rare Textile Exhibition

The Himpunan Wastraprema (HWP) and the Jakarta Textile Museum are collaborating to celebrate their 50th anniversary by holding an exhibition of rare and historic textiles titled ‘Menjaga Warisan untuk Masa Depan’ (Preserving Heritage for the Future).

Head of the DKI Jakarta Culture Office, Miftahulloh Tamary, stated that the 50th anniversary of the Textile Museum is not merely a marker of an institution’s journey in cultural preservation, but also a moment for collective reflection on the commitment and dedication to safeguarding Indonesia’s textile heritage. ‘Preservation is not a task completed in one generation, but a long process requiring continuous collaboration so that the museum functions as a space for dialogue and public learning,’ he said in an official statement on Wednesday.

This long journey has been supported by various parties, including HWP, which initially donated 500 pieces of textiles as the foundation for establishing the museum, fostering a collective spirit to care for the nation’s cultural wealth. Sri Kusumawati added that the Textile Museum plays a vital role in safeguarding, maintaining, developing, and introducing the richness of the archipelago’s textiles. ‘We hope this exhibition inspires the public to become more familiar with our culture by visiting the Textile Museum,’ she said.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Himpunan Wastraprema for the 2023-2027 period, Sri Sintasari (Neneng) Iskandar, stated that cultural heritage with high artistic value is a national masterpiece that must be valued. The fabrics on display are the best curations from HWP grants since 1976, beginning with 500 pieces donated by national figures such as First Lady Tien Suharto, Ali Sadikin, Go Tik Swan (Panembahan Hardjonegoro), Gusti Putri Mangkunegoro VIII, Lasmidjah Hardi, and Herawati Diah. At the 25th anniversary, an additional 200 textiles were donated. Now, in its golden 50th year, HWP has received a grant of 114 rare ulos cloths from collector Torang Sitorus for the museum.

The exhibition, which runs until 30 August at the Jakarta Textile Museum, features 62 selected textiles of high historical value, including 19 legendary pieces donated by HWP founders, 31 pieces from other donors, and 12 rare ulos from Torang Sitorus. The programme also includes a ‘Wastra Talk’ on 4 July 2026, exploring the history and philosophy of the Dwaja Pusaka Caruban Nagari with Cirebon cultural expert and historian Astaqim Asteja. The exhibition was also attended by ambassadors from friendly nations, including the Netherlands, Turkey, and Ecuador.