TATAH 2026 Woodcarving Art Exhibition Held at the National Museum of Indonesia
The TATAH 2026 woodcarving art exhibition will be held from April 20 to July 5, 2026, at the National Museum of Indonesia. The event will begin with a soft opening on April 20, while the general public can start visiting from April 21, 2026. Carrying the theme “Suluk-Sulur-Jepara”, the exhibition is expected to serve as an important momentum to revive the glory of Jepara woodcarving art at the national level.
TATAH Director, Veronica Rompies, explained that this exhibition not only focuses on the aesthetics of the works but also carries a mission of cultural preservation and education. According to her, TATAH 2026 was designed based on research to trace the long journey of Jepara’s carving tradition.
“This exhibition is not just about displaying artworks, but also presenting a new perspective on the value of woodcarving art, which has often been misunderstood,” said Veronica.
She added that the act of carving cannot be viewed merely as a production activity. There is a long process and historical value that accompanies it.
“Carving here is not just about making products to sell in order to make a living. Carving is a long process that has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries,” she emphasized.
Furthermore, Veronica stated that TATAH 2026 is the first part of a trilogy of exhibitions that will run until 2028. This concept is still considered new in Indonesia, so her team faces challenges in determining the standards for organizing the event.
“Because this is a new program, we don’t have many references. On one hand, we can set our own standards, but on the other hand, we must ensure the quality is not arbitrary,” she explained.
To strengthen the educational aspect, the exhibition will be enlivened with various supporting activities, such as screenings of films themed around R.A. Kartini, art performances, as well as the launch and discussion of books resulting from the TATAH team’s research.
The organization of TATAH 2026 also receives support from the Jepara Regency Government. Jepara Regent, Witiarso Utomo, believes the exhibition aligns with efforts to restore the region’s identity as the “City of Carving.”
“We want Jepara carvings to no longer be seen merely as craft products, but as pure works of art whose value cannot be measured by standard prices,” said Witiarso.
He hopes that through this exhibition, the welfare of the carvers can also improve along with the rising appreciation for their works.
In addition, Witiarso highlighted the issue of regeneration among carvers, which has now become a serious challenge. According to him, young people’s interest in woodcarving art is declining, mainly due to the dominance of the mass furniture industry.
“It is our hope that TATAH 2026 can become a solution so that the carving profession becomes attractive again and offers promising economic value,” he said.
This exhibition is the result of collaboration among various parties, ranging from local government, industry communities, to artists and cultural researchers. With a well-prepared concept and a research-based approach, TATAH 2026 is expected to serve as a catalyst for the revival of woodcarving as a high-value cultural identity.
Witiarso also invited art collectors, both from within the country and abroad, to attend and witness the exhibition in person.
“Because what is being displayed is pure art, we hope that renowned collectors can come. Hopefully, this will become a successful promotional event and can continue in the future,” he concluded.
