Veronica Tan urges women to create and bring about change

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Veronica Tan has urged women to create works and bring about positive change. “So, we are no longer talking about women as beneficiaries, but we are discussing women as part of the works that can support our nation’s strategic economy, for our Indonesian nation,” she said at the opening of the Indonesian Women Artist (IWA) exhibition in Jakarta on Thursday. “Let us together make it a movement to move and fight for women who already have their works but do not have access, or do not have a platform for them to express themselves, display their confidence, and also contribute as part of Indonesians,” she told participants at the IWA #4 exhibition. She hopes the IWA exhibition can become a platform to enhance the competitiveness of female artists. Head of the Museum and Cultural Heritage Indira Estiyanti Nurjadin said that IWA provides space for documentation, presentation, and ongoing meetings of works. “This series of exhibitions not only builds a cultural archive but also affirms the contributions of female artists in broader cultural conversations,” she said. She conveyed that IWA can provide space to connect the works of female artists with the public. According to her, the National Gallery is ready to facilitate and support the visual arts ecosystem by providing space for presenting works and adequate art practice facilities. The IWA #4 exhibition is held to welcome the commemoration of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026, Kartini Day on 21 April 2026, and the City of Jakarta’s Anniversary on 22 June 2026. The exhibition, held at the National Gallery in Jakarta from 10 April to 30 June 2026, features works by artists Bibiana Lee, Citra Sasmita & Cinta Bumi Artisan, Dyantini Adeline, Endang Lestari, Ines Katamso, and Irene Agrivina. Works by artists KaNa Fuddy Prakoso, Ni Nyoman Sani, Nona Yoanishara, Rani Jambak, Tara Kasenda, and Vedhanito are also displayed in the exhibition curated by curators Carla Bianpoen, Vidhyasuri Utami, and Bagus Purwoadi.