Annissa Wulan
Jun 17, 2025
Yogyakarta presents the Unique Art Fair for the first time, marking a new chapter in the city's fine arts scene. Titled Chapter Jogja, the Unique Art Fair is an initiative to revive the spirit of the Jogja Art Fair, which was first held in 2008.
This is where Chapter Jogja's role is, building a bridge between artistic practice and more structured and sustainable appreciation support.
Jogja Art Fair in 2008 was an effort to create an art market platform based on the Artist Art Fair by distributing works of art. The transformation of Jogja Art Fair into ARTJOG in 2010 then navigated the vision of this event in conceptual and artistic presentations, which are celebrated as an international contemporary art festival every year.
Therefore, the presence of Chapter Jogja is a new chapter born from the journey of Jogja Art Fair and ARTJOG so far. This year, Chapter Jogja collaborated with GIK UGM, opening a collaborative space between the artist community, academics, and art galleries, so as to create a sustainable ecosystem and build a wider, structured, and connected appreciation space.
In this first edition, Chapter Jogja tries to reread the relationship between art, ecosystem, and art appreciation. Since ASRI (Indonesian Fine Arts Academy) was founded in 1955, Yogyakarta has been home to thousands of artists from various categories, forming an important milestone in the history of Indonesian art.
However, the connection between artists' works and art market appreciation is still a challenge that needs to be bridged. This is where Chapter Jogja's role is, building a bridge between artistic practice and more structured and sustainable appreciation support.
"Chapter is interpreted as a chapter, and in this context, Jogja is not just a setting, but becomes the narrative itself. Through Chapter Jogja, we want to open a new space, not only as an art fair that focuses on the art market, but as a hub for dialogue between artists, the market, and the public. This is our way of maintaining continuity while responding to today's needs," explained Ignatia Nilu, Artistic Director of Chapter Jogja Artfair.
"Yogyakarta has thousands of artists, from students to maestros, from communities to institutions. But one thing that is often missed is the bridge between works and wider appreciation. We present the Jogja Chapter not to replace anything that already exists, but to strengthen what has not been structured. This is the initial phase of efforts to build a sustainable, healthy, and more widely connected art ecosystem," added Heri Pemad, Founder & Fair Director of the Jogja Chapter.
Jogja Chapter X GIK UGM will be held on June 20-29, 2025, in conjunction with the opening of ARTJOG at the Jogja National Museum. This exhibition is part of a large series of Jogja Art Weeks, or known as Lebaran Seni Rupa.
In this first edition, there will be seven participants from various cities, namely the Sakato Art Community (Yogyakarta), Sanggar Dewata Indonesia (Yogyakarta), Ruang MES 56 (Yogyakarta), Nadi Gallery (Jakarta), ArtSociates (Bandung), Nonfrasa Gallery (Ubud, Bali), and UOB Painting of the Year Art Gallery. Studio Arte will also be present, an art conservation studio as an educational space for the conservation of works of art, such as paintings, photographs, and even three-dimensional works, and their handling.
The participation of exhibitors reflects the diversity of practices and backgrounds, ranging from regional-based artist communities such as Sakato and SDI, professional galleries, and contemporary art institutions that carry various approaches to artistic practice and media. In addition to the main program in the form of an Art Fair, Chapter Jogja will also hold a Community Talks session with the Sakato Art Community, Sanggar Dewata Indonesia, and Ruang MES 56, which will explore narratives around the spirit of collectivity and the role of the artist community in driving the dynamics of contemporary art events in Indonesia, as well as the developing discourse.