There’s a new and exciting event unfolding in Indonesia’s contemporary art scene. Art Jakarta Papers, an inaugural fair dedicated entirely to paper-based art is coming to City Hall at Pondok Indah Mall 3 from 5–8 February 2026, bringing together 28 galleries from Indonesia and across Asia in a four-day long exhibitions, installations, and public programmes.
The fair was conceived in response to a long-standing gap in how paper is positioned within the art ecosystem. Locally, works on paper– ranging from drawings, prints, photography, and artists’ books to research-based and archival practices –have often been treated as secondary, even though they form the backbone of many artistic processes. Internationally, however, paper-based practices have gained momentum through art fairs, biennales, and institutional exhibitions that recognise the medium’s intellectual and material value, as well as its accessibility. Art Jakarta Papers emerges as a platform that expands the existing ecosystem and placing paper-based works on equal conceptual and economic footing.
“We hope that this edition will strengthen, deepen, and expand the appreciation and knowledge of art lovers, collectors, and the general public in Indonesia and the region regarding the various forms and achievements of contemporary paper-based art,” says Artistic Director Enin Supriyanto.
Alongside gallery presentations, the fair will feature solo showcases by Indonesian artists and a programme of curated talks that examine the evolving role of paper in contemporary practice. Visitors can expect a wide spectrum of approaches, from traditional techniques to experimental and research-driven works.
The first edition is supported by Lead Partners BCA and Sucor Asset Management, each presenting a Special Presentation. myBCA introduces myBCA Space, featuring a large-scale paper installation by Rudy Atjeh. Built from hand-cut paper, the work takes the form of a tree that symbolises the human journey, with roots, trunk, and branches representing different stages of life. At its centre stands a cube that reflects the importance of life and financial planning. Visitors are invited to add origami elements to the piece, allowing the installation to grow throughout the fair. Atjeh, who has worked with intricate paper cut-outs for over a decade, continues his exploration of sculptural paper forms that engage with cultural memory and symbolism.
Sucor Asset Management presents Sucor AM Corner in collaboration with Naufal Abshar, using chess as a metaphor for investment strategy. Six papier-mâché sculptures represent the chess pieces, each depicted as a character with a specific role. The installation is paired with “Chess Play”, a live, interactive experience where visitors can play against Sucorians at three levels of difficulty, reflecting different investment risk profiles.
Further support comes from Main Partner EDISII, which will present a selection of limited-edition fine art prints by Indonesian artists, created through close collaboration between the artists and the production studio.
Art Jakarta Papers will also host the SPOT section, featuring curated solo presentations of large-scale installations. This year’s SPOT will include works by Iwan Effendi, presented by ara contemporary, and the photography collective Ruang MES 56, presented by kohesi Initiatives.
To extend the conversation, six panel discussions will be held on 7–8 February 2026, covering topics such as conservation challenges in tropical climates, international market opportunities, restoration practices, and paper as a site for experimentation. The fair opens by invitation on Thursday, 5 February, from 3–9pm, and to the public on Friday, 6 February, from 3–9pm, and Saturday–Sunday, 7–8 February, from 11am–9pm.
Tickets will be available from 21 January 2026 at artjakarta.com
