Yogyakarta is more than just Indonesia’s cultural capital, it’s a living, breathing canvas of creativity. In 2025, the city once again takes the spotlight with a dynamic lineup of art events that promise unforgettable experiences. From thought-provoking solo exhibitions to the celebrated spectacle of ARTJOG, each event is designed to stir your senses and ignite your imagination.
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These exhibitions don’t just showcase works from local artists, many also feature cross-border and cross-disciplinary collaborations. With events spread across mid-year, you’ll have the flexibility to plan your art journey around your schedule.
Curious about which exhibitions should be on your radar this year? Here’s your ultimate guide to Yogyakarta’s 2025 art calendar.
No One is Safe Until Everyone is Free
Part of the Jogja Art Weeks 2025, this exhibition is hosted at ASMARA Art & Coffee, Yogyakarta, running from June 2 to July 2, 2025. Carrying a powerful theme of collective spirit and freedom of expression, the show features works from diverse artists spanning various backgrounds and mediums. Intimate yet poignant, the exhibition gives voice to pressing global issues and shared struggles.
Beyond visual displays like paintings and installations, the program also includes “Chill n Spill,” an interactive dialogue session held on June 10, offering a casual yet meaningful space for artists and audiences to share stories, insights, and reflections. The cozy, art-infused ambiance of ASMARA Art & Coffee enhances the entire experience. If you’re seeking an exhibition that resonates emotionally and intellectually, this is a must-visit.
Sinema Kontra-Nostalgia
Cinema Against Nostalgia: Fracturing the Historiographic Frame is a bold film program delving into Indonesia’s long-silenced leftist cinema legacy. Running from May 16 to June 20, 2025, at Galeri Lorong in Bantul, this event screens three powerful films: Violetta (1962), BACHTIAR (2025), and Turang (1958). Together, they challenge viewers to rethink how history is shaped, erased, and passed down, particularly in the realm of political cinema. All screenings are free and open to the public.
This isn’t mere nostalgia, it’s a platform for aesthetic and intellectual resistance. Violetta uses melodrama as quiet defiance, BACHTIAR dissects how the New Order regime shaped historical narratives through a sharp essay-style documentary, and Turang, recently unearthed in a Russian archive after more than six decades, depicts the spirit of decolonization from the people’s perspective.
Curated by Manshur Zikri and presented in collaboration with Forum Lenteng, Sinema Galeri Lorong, and Bunga Siagian, this event repositions cinema as a space for memory, ideology, and freedom.
Solo Exhibition It’s Me: My Universe
One of the season’s standout solo exhibitions, IT’S ME: MY UNIVERSE by DOM Fatoni, will be held at Jiwa Gallery – Jiwa Jawi Jogja in Bangunjiwo, Bantul, from June 5 to June 29, 2025. The official opening takes place on June 5 at 3:30 PM, featuring remarks by Ignatia Nilu and an introduction by esteemed writer Sitok Srengenge.
This intimate showcase invites visitors into the personal universe of DOM Fatoni, filled with expressive visuals and deep narratives. Jiwa Gallery is known for elevating original works by local artists with a spiritual and contemplative approach. IT’S ME: MY UNIVERSE explores identity and inner journeys with emotional depth and sincerity. For those seeking a soulful and introspective art experience, this exhibition is not to be missed.
ARTJOG Motif: Amalan
ARTJOG 2025 unveils the final chapter of its thematic trilogy with Motif: Amalan, following Lamaran (2023) and Ramalan (2024). This prestigious contemporary art festival will take place from June 20 to August 31, 2025, at the Jogja National Museum.
This year’s edition brings together 47 featured artists, including major commissioned works by acclaimed sculptor Anusapati and the collective REcycle‑EXPerience. From immersive installations and vibrant paintings to cutting-edge media art, ARTJOG 2025 reflects on pressing social, cultural, and spiritual issues.
Visitors can enjoy a rich lineup of satellite programs, including performa•ARTJOG, LoveARTJOG, Artcare, and Meet The Artist, creating meaningful interactions between artists and audiences. A key highlight this year features the multi-sensory installation Eudaimonia by actor-artist Reza Rahadian and other collaborators.
The entrance ticket is IDR 80,000 for adults, IDR 50,000 for children, and free for kids under 6. Inclusive, immersive, and always inspiring, ARTJOG 2025 is a cultural experience not to be missed.
Celebrate Art, Culture, and Community in Yogyakarta
In 2025, Yogyakarta once again stands out as Indonesia’s leading cultural hub. From personal exhibitions to large-scale festivals, every event offers compelling themes, strong visual narratives, and vibrant spaces for interaction.
These events celebrate not just local talent but also intergenerational and cross-disciplinary collaborations, highlighting the power of art to connect, question, and transform. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in contemporary Indonesian art, mid-2025 is the perfect time to plan your journey.