Exhibition 'Suluh Bangsa' Revives Buya Syafii Maarif's Legacy Amid Moral Crisis

An art exhibition, "Suluh Bangsa" (Torch of the Nation), has opened to honor the legacy and thought of Buya Syafii Maarif, a prominent Indonesian intellectual. The exhibition, part of the "Bulan Buya Syafii Maarif" (Buya Syafii Maarif Month), runs from May 23 to June 7, 2026, and showcases works by renowned Indonesian artists and maestros.

Organized by Kiniko Art Room in collaboration with the Maarif Institute, the exhibition's theme, "Menjaga Suluh, Merawat Bangsa, Tak Ada Kayu, Jenjang Dikeping" (Guard the Torch, Nurture the Nation, If There's No Wood, Use Split Bamboo), positions the event as more than just an art appreciation space. It serves as a platform for reflection on the perceived crisis of exemplary figures in contemporary social and political life.

Curator Heru Joni Putra stated that Buya Syafii Maarif is the focal point for re-examining the importance of moral integrity, intellectual clarity, and social commitment amidst a deluge of information and a culture of image-making. He described a "teacher of the nation" as a symbol of society's collective need for individuals who can bridge knowledge, ethical responsibility, and moral courage in public life.

The exhibition features nineteen artists, including Arahmaiani, Tisna Sanjaya, Ugo Untoro, and Wimo Ambala Bayang. Their diverse works explore themes of ethical fragility, social disconnection, and the public's yearning for role models.