A new series of five monumental charcoal drawings by Maryanto unde the title Not An Empty Land, created especially for the exhibition, will be presented in the group show Bakudengar in Museum Arnhem in the Netherlands. The title Bakudengar combines the Indonesian words baku (“mutual”) and dengar (“to hear and listen”), reflecting themes of dialogue and protest. The exhibition focuses on West Papua, Maluku, Minahasa, and the Chinese-Indonesian community, addressing urgent issues such as struggles for freedom, environmental protection, the legacy of Dutch colonialism and the New Order, the value of pre-colonial traditions, forced migration, and the vital role of women in preserving culture.
