Megawati Soekarnoputri Opens 'Mata Hati Soekarno' Art Exhibition in Bantul
The fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, opened a fine arts exhibition titled ‘Mata Hati Soekarno’ (The Heart’s Eye of Soekarno) at Le Gareca Space, Bantul, today. On this occasion, Megawati was accompanied by the Princess of the Yogyakarta Palace, Gusti Kanjeng Ratu (GKR) Hemas.
Several prominent figures attended the opening, including PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto, Jakarta Deputy Governor Rano Karno, Mahfud MD, Ganjar Pranowo, Yogyakarta Mayor Hasto Wardoyo, Gunungkidul Regent Endah Subekti Kuntariningsih, and Bantul Regent Abdul Halim Muslih.
The opening of the ‘Mata Hati Soekarno’ exhibition was marked by Megawati officially opening the exhibition hall doors. Alongside GKR Hemas, Megawati was also accompanied by the cultural figure Butet Kartaredjasa, who serves as the person in charge of the exhibition, which coincides with the commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the birth of Indonesia’s first President, Ir. Soekarno.
“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 excavator of Pancasila, who has always inspired us, inspired all of us, from time to time,” said Butet in a written statement on Saturday (6/6/2026).
“Therefore, if there is an expression from Bung Karno saying, ‘do not only inherit his ashes,’ we wish to inherit his fire. That Soekarno fire is what instils our ideological awareness as citizens of this nation, which we always carry forward,” he added.
The ‘Mata Hati Soekarno’ exhibition presents works from 47 artists spanning multiple generations. They have created through mediums of painting, graphics, and drawing, re-presenting the life journey, ideas, and national footprints inherited from Bung Karno.
The exhibition curator, Suwarno Wisetrotomo, explained that the committee challenged artists to delve into, discover, select, and find perspectives and modes of expression in viewing, understanding, and receiving the most iconic figure in Indonesian history, Bung Karno.
“Bung Karno is the water, earth, wind, and fire that sustains, grows, spreads, and ignites hope from time to time until today. More than half a century after his passing, he remains an undying inspiration,” explained Suwarno.
As such, this exhibition does not merely present artworks but also opens a space for public dialogue regarding the relevance of the thoughts and values bequeathed by the Proclamator.
“Celebrating Bung Karno through painting is certainly no coincidence. This is an appropriate celebration, because friends in various parts of the world know Indonesia and know Bung Karno closely, partly through the five volumes of books initiated by him, which were published and remain unparalleled to this day,” he said.
The exhibition is part of a series of activities commemorating the 125th anniversary of Bung Karno’s birth held in Yogyakarta, simultaneously affirming that the thoughts, struggles, and intellectual legacy of the ‘Son of the Dawn’ remain alive and relevant for present and future generations of Indonesia.