ANGKAT 2025 Exhibition: Lifting Bandung’s Art Scene to New Heights

In 2025, the word "Angkat" takes the spotlight as the theme for Bandung’s eagerly awaited annual art celebration. In Sundanese culture, "Angkat" translates to “to go” or “to leave one place for another.” It embodies a deliberate act of movement, purposeful and intentional. On the other hand, in Indonesian, "angkat" can also mean “to lift”; to elevate something (be it an idea, object, thought, or even a hope) to a higher plane. While these meanings come from different origins, they beautifully converge to deliver a powerful message: a call to rise and evolve, to transition both physically and conceptually.

Now in its eighth year, Bandung Art Month (BAM) stands at a significant juncture in its journey. As we set our sights on BAM’s 10th anniversary in 2027, this year’s theme "ANGKAT" acts as both a mirror and a rallying cry. It serves as a reminder to gear up for a remarkable milestone, celebrating a decade of collaboration, experimentation, and growth within Bandung’s dynamic art scene.

ANGKAT is an open invitation (a creative and inclusive call) to everyone who has contributed, is contributing, or dreams of contributing to the progress of Bandung’s art scene. It sets the tone for the next two years, urging artists, curators, and communities to gear up for bigger exhibitions, deeper discussions, and bolder collaborations. It asks us to consider: Where are we going next? And what do we want to become?

The theme is brought to life through the ANGKAT 2025 Exhibition, the official opening of BAM 8th. This showcase embraces Angkat as a chant and a vision a symbol of continuity and shared progress. Featuring artists from across generations, the exhibition highlights the richness of diverse perspectives and artistic expressions, igniting a dialogue that bridges time and style.

This exhibition doesn’t just celebrate cross-generational creativity. It also aims to be a moment of transformation for Bandung’s art scene; a moment to reimagine knowledge-sharing, creative energy, and the city’s unique way of shaping contemporary art in Indonesia.

GREY Art Gallery & BDGConnex proudly present four featured artists who have played key roles in shaping Bandung’s contemporary art scene:

Asmudjo J. Irianto
Actmove
Herry Dim
REEXP

As part of the “Panggilan” program, which invites emerging artists from Bandung, we received an impressive 95 submissions. After a thoughtful selection process, we’re excited to announce that 31 talented artists have been chosen to showcase their work at this year’s ANGKAT exhibition.

Here’s the lineup: Auditama Nugraha, Dr. Joni, Fafagirlsy, Calysta Ayu, Fahmi Mursyid, Faisal Al-Zaki, Farhanah Arifah, Fatih Jagad Raya, Fisel, Galih Hermawan, Hikmatyar, Ivan Daniel, Jibo, Joshua Liem, Khai, Kulin, Muhabdul.w, Namira Siti Sarah, Nur Z Izzah, Rahma Zahara Kamal, Rania Slb, Ravaldo Akeudhia, Reigi Rippana, Rhaka, Sadira Auliyannisa, Siti F. Satir, Irfam Azhari, Ulfi Audria, Viola Armendita, Washfa, and Yamba Kanaka.

In a nod to the rich artistic heritage of Bandung, ANGKAT 2025 also showcases the work of 10 senior artists. They’ll be sharing their personal "Artistic Statements", a collection of reflections that will be displayed in the gallery, encouraging a deeper understanding of our history and sparking conversations across generations.

These senior contributors include:
Asmudjo J. Irianto, Andar Malik, Aming D. Rachman, Bambang Subarnas, Diyanto, Eddy Hermanto, Herry Dim, Isa Perkasa, Nandang Gawe, Rahmat Jabbaril, Rudi ST Darma, and Pidi Baiq.

ANGKAT 2025 is more than an exhibition, it’s a vibrant meeting point of generations, methods, and ideas. It’s a living, breathing landscape of Bandung’s contemporary art scene in motion.

We invite the media, art lovers, and the general public to join us, to explore the works, engage with the narratives, and feel the pulse of artists who speak to and for their times.

This exhibition is a collaborative effort by GREY Art Gallery, BDGConnex, Art Jakarta, and HolyZpace. We thank all our partners for their support and shared vision.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Exhibition Title: ANGKAT 2025
Dates: July 25 – August 31, 2025
Venue: GREY Art Gallery – Jl. Braga No. 47, Bandung

Tickets: