Sanggarbambu Exhibition at Salihara: Here I Found You

Komunitas Salihara is hosting the exhibition Here I Found You: Works and Archives of Sanggarbambu. This event will run from October 4 to December 7, 2025, at Galeri Salihara. The exhibition traces and showcases the legacy of artworks created by the artists of Sanggarbambu.

Sanggarbambu was established on April 1, 1959, in Yogyakarta, spearheaded by Kirjomulyo and Soenarto Pr., along with a group of young artists. The name “Bambu” (Bamboo) was chosen as a symbol of simplicity and strength. Bamboo can grow anywhere, serves many purposes, and became an emblem of the people’s struggle in the form of sharpened bamboo spears during the revolutionary era. This same spirit animated Sanggarbambu: humble, resilient, and aligned with the people.

From the beginning, Sanggarbambu was more than just a fine arts studio. It evolved into a multidisciplinary space where painters, sculptors, writers, musicians, and theater artists gathered to create, collaborate, and engage in dialogue. Its members lived in a communal atmosphere, sharing living spaces, discussing ideas, painting, playing music, and planning performances. In this environment, art became an integral part of everyday life.

Many names associated with Sanggarbambu are now widely recognized in Indonesia’s art world, including Mulyadi W., Syahwil, Wardoyo, Danarto, Putu Wijaya, and Arifin C. Noer. Even figures like Emha Ainun Najib and Ebiet G. Ade were influenced by the studio’s creative vibe. The networks of friendship formed there made Sanggarbambu a fertile ground for the growth of numerous great artists.

What made Sanggarbambu truly special was its vision to bring art closer to the public. They didn’t limit themselves to galleries or exclusive venues; instead, they actively organized traveling exhibitions. Sanggarbambu groups toured from one small town to another across Java and Madura, bringing paintings, sculptures, and performances. They also staged open-air dramas, art writing competitions, cultural lectures, and simple music concerts. These activities were not just shows but also accessible art education for everyone.

One of Sanggarbambu’s key achievements was their exhibition at Balai Budaya Jakarta in 1961. This event marked a milestone, as a studio born in Yogyakarta successfully broke into the capital’s art scene. On other occasions, they collaborated with prominent figures like WS Rendra, producing groundbreaking theater performances that shook the world of drama at the time.

Beyond accomplishments, however, Sanggarbambu embodied the values of brotherhood. Within it, every member was free to express themselves while mutually respecting one another. Soenarto Pr., one of the founders, once said: “Sanggarbambu was born without a plan—it just emerged spontaneously. But we believed art must bridge artists and society.” This statement captures the studio’s core philosophy: art is not the exclusive domain of the elite but belongs to the broader public.

Now, more than half a century later, Sanggarbambu is remembered as a pivotal milestone in Indonesia’s artistic journey. It demonstrates that art is not merely about aesthetics but also a tool for struggle, education, and entertainment. From Yogyakarta, Sanggarbambu left a lasting legacy, showing that art can serve as a space for camaraderie, a nurturing ground for artists, and a bridge connecting creativity with community life.