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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Artjog Faces Backlash Over Sponsorship by Prabowo's Son's Foundation

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Interview Named sources Context piece
  • The involvement of Prabowo Subianto's son, Didit Hediprasetyo, and his foundation in funding the Artjog exhibition has sparked protests, including accusations of political co-optation and "art washing."
  • Several partners and collective artists canceled their involvement due to the controversy, and Didit's planned opening appearance was also scrapped.
  • Didit Hediprasetyo Foundation confirmed its sponsorship role, stating it was limited to ticket purchases and aimed to support the development of creative spaces, denying any ownership or decision-making influence in Artjog.

The Artjog 2026 exhibition in Indonesia is embroiled in controversy following the involvement of the Didit Hediprasetyo Foundation, linked to President Prabowo Subianto's son, Didit Hediprasetyo. The foundation's financial support has drawn sharp criticism from artists and the public, who accuse the move of being "art washing", a manipulation of image through art, and a form of political co-optation.

We were recently contacted by the organizers to support the implementation of Artjog 2026.

— Boedi BasoekiResponding to the initial contact for sponsorship.

Protests against Didit's involvement led to the cancellation of collaborations with several partners and artist collectives. Initially slated to open the event, Didit's participation was ultimately withdrawn after intense public backlash. The controversy even saw a poster listing the foundation as a strategic partner disappear just a day before the exhibition's opening.

DHF's involvement is limited to the stage of invitation for sponsorship support in the form of purchasing Artjog 2026 tickets, in accordance with the cooperation scheme offered by the organizers.

— Boedi BasoekiDescribing the form of support provided by the foundation.

Heri Pemad, the director of Artjog, acknowledged the foundation's financial contribution, clarifying it was one of several supporters. In a written response, Boedi Basoeki, the communication team for the Didit Hediprasetyo Foundation, confirmed their sponsorship was limited to purchasing Artjog tickets. He stated the foundation's goal was to help creative spaces like Artjog flourish and reach a wider audience, emphasizing that they hold no shares in the organizing company, PT Artjog Matra Nusantara, and have no influence over its management.

We agreed to this support so that creative spaces like Artjog can continue to develop and reach a wider public.

— Boedi BasoekiExplaining the purpose behind the foundation's support.

Basoeki further explained that the foundation did not impose any special conditions for its funding. Their intention was solely to support the development of art and culture in Yogyakarta by expanding Artjog's audience through ticket marketing. The foundation respects the confidentiality of the sponsorship details and the agreed-upon mechanisms within their partnership.

There is no share ownership in that company. The support provided is within the framework of sponsorship and is not related to share ownership of the company or decision-making in the management of Artjog by the founder of Didit Hediprasetyo Foundation.

— Boedi BasoekiDenying any ownership or decision-making influence in Artjog.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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