Taring Padi's London Debut: Early Banners Against Suharto at Ibraaz
The Indonesian art group Taring Padi is set to unveil its inaugural exhibition in London titled "Rakyat Pasti Menang (The People United Will Never Be Defeated)" at Ibraaz, commencing on July 8. Curated by Odessa Warren, the exhibition is divided into three sections: the first showcases early protest banners from the late 1990s against the Suharto regime; the second, launching in September, focuses on labor rights; and the last part, debuting in October, features recent collaborative works. Alexander Supartono elaborates on the collective's roots and techniques, emphasizing six banners created between 1997 and 2000. Additionally, the exhibition presents new wayang kardus crafted on-site, drawing inspiration from Diego Rivera and punk music, and has garnered a positive response, with the final chapter tackling global themes.
Key facts
- Taring Padi's London debut at Ibraaz opened July 8, 2026.
- Exhibition curated by Odessa Warren, former Tate Modern staff.
- First chapter features early banners from 1997-2000 protesting Suharto.
- Second chapter in September covers workers' rights and land struggles.
- Final chapter in October presents post-Documenta 15 collaborations.
- Interview with Alexander Supartono, first-generation member and professor at Edinburgh Napier University.
- Banners used in Yogyakarta; Komnas Perempuan commissioned a banner for Aceh refugee crisis in 1999.
- Banner '38 Kursi Gratis' possibly influenced removal of military seats in parliament.
- Artistic process involves collective 'mengisi' (filling in) with no rules.
- Influences: Lekra ideology, Diego Rivera's muralism, punk music for anarchist tendencies.
- Works not conserved; some lost; cataloging started during Documenta 15.
- Reception positive; final chapter to address global issues like Palestine and fascism.
- Interview by Chin-chin Yap, contributing editor for ArtAsiaPacific.
Entities
Artists
- Taring Padi
- Alexander Supartono
- Odessa Warren
- Dolorosa Sinaga
- Diego Rivera
- Chin-chin Yap
Institutions
- Ibraaz
- Tate Modern
- Edinburgh Napier University
- Komnas Perempuan
- Goethe Institute
- Documenta 15
- ArtAsiaPacific
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Yogyakarta
- Indonesia
- Jakarta
- Aceh
- North Sumatra
- Venice
- Italy
- Perth
- Australia
- Lisbon
- Portugal