From Childhood Paintings to 'Supermemar': Works That Captured Megawati's Attention

Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri recently visited the "Mata Hati Soekarno" (Eyes of the Heart of Sukarno) art exhibition in Bantul, Yogyakarta. The exhibition, held on a Saturday, June 6, 2026, commemorates the 125th anniversary of the birth of Indonesia's first president and Megawati's father, Sukarno.

Accompanied by notable figures including the Queen Consort of Yogyakarta, GKR Hemas, exhibition initiator Butet Kartaredjasa, and the curatorial team, Megawati slowly toured the venue, pausing at several artworks that captured her attention. One piece that deeply resonated with her was Agus Noor's painting titled "Ku Antar ke Seberang" (I Will Take You Across). This artwork portrays Sukarno cycling with a young Megawati, around three years old, as a passenger, evoking a warm father-daughter moment from the past.

Megawati's engagement with the painting was evident as she smiled and gazed at it for an extended period, appearing lost in nostalgia. Butet Kartaredjasa then invited Agus Noor to explain the painting's concept. Noor described the bicycle as a symbol of the people's vehicle, constantly pedaled towards the nation's ideals, with Sukarno depicted as historically guiding Indonesia to the "gateway of independence." He questioned whether the nation had reached its destination or still needed to cross to the other side after independence.

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The idea of the painting is that Sukarno is called by history as the one who took the Indonesian Nation to the gates of independence. Is today just at the gate, how to take it across after independence?

During her tour, Megawati also paid attention to a contemporary work called "Supermemar," a visual play on the historical Supersemar document (an order issued by Sukarno in 1966). The artist used this piece to offer a historical critique of the political processes following the G30S/PKI incident, which led to Sukarno's downfall. Another piece that caught her eye was Melodia's artwork featuring a Rp100,000 Indonesian rupiah banknote, inscribed with "Mencapai Indonesia Merdeka" (Achieving Independent Indonesia), taken from Sukarno's own handwriting in 1933. Melodia explained that this referenced Sukarno's vision for independence and its connection to current times.

Towards the end of the visit, Megawati showed particular interest in Josua Tobing's painting "Restu" (Blessing). This work depicts Sukarno kneeling, seeking a blessing from his mother, Ida Ayu Nyoman Rai. As Butet Kartaredjasa provided context, Megawati nodded, recognizing the personal side of Sukarno as a son seeking maternal support during his monumental struggle for the nation. The review of the artworks was described as warm and reflective, taking place shortly after Megawati officially opened the exhibition.

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I took it from Sukarno's handwriting in 1933. Sukarno was visionary, longing for Indonesia's independence and connected to the current situation.