Indonesian collective Taring Padi mounts sociopolitical exhibition at Cantadora gallery in Rome
The Cantadora gallery in Rome is hosting the inaugural Italian exhibition of the Indonesian art collective Taring Padi, entitled 'Organise, Educate and Agitate!', which will be on display until 4 December 2025. Highlighted in the exhibition is the banner 'Hentikan Perbudakan / Stop Slavery (2025)', crafted during a residency in Rome, which addresses the 2016 protest by 4,000 Punjabi Sikh agricultural workers against the caporalato system. This showcase critiques the connections among agromafia, the Sikh community, and the 'made in Italy' industry. Additionally, it features 13 smaller pieces by artists Ucup Baik, Fitri dk, Dodi Irwandi, Setu Legi, and Surya Wirawan. Established in 1998, the collective advocates for solidarity and sociopolitical themes. The opening included a performance of 'Matahari Rakyat (The Light of the People, 2024)'.
Key facts
- Taring Padi's first exhibition in Italy is at Cantadora gallery in Rome through 4 December 2025.
- The show includes 'Hentikan Perbudakan / Stop Slavery (2025)', a banner addressing the 2016 strike of 4,000 Punjabi Sikh farm labourers in Agro Pontino against the caporalato system.
- Thirteen smaller works by five members—Ucup Baik, Fitri dk, Dodi Irwandi, Setu Legi, Surya Wirawan—are featured.
- Taring Padi was formed in 1998 by Indonesian art students during the reformation era, with principles of Organise, Educate, Agitate.
- The collective visited the Sikh community in Agro Pontino in September 2025, guided by activist/sociologist Marco Omizzolo.
- The opening night featured a wayang beber puppet theatre performance titled 'Matahari Rakyat (2024)'.
- The collective's visual language rejects art for art's sake, focusing on sociopolitical messages rooted in Southeast Asian people's art traditions.
- The banner critiques the agromafia, exploited Sikh workers, and the 'made in Italy' produce sector.
Entities
Artists
- Taring Padi
- Ucup Baik
- Fitri dk
- Dodi Irwandi
- Setu Legi
- Surya Wirawan
- Marco Omizzolo
Institutions
- Cantadora gallery
- ArtReview
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Agro Pontino
- Indonesia
- Southeast Asia
- Javanese
- Punjabi
- Bahasa Indonesia
- Tiber