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THE ASSOCIATION of Indonesian Batik Craftsmen and Entrepreneurs (APPBI) will hold the 2026 Puspa Nuswantara Batik Art Exhibition on July 8–12, 2026, at the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC), Senayan, Jakarta, with the theme “Rupa Makna Tambal Nusantara”. The exhibition will feature more than 100 vendors showcasing authentic batik and Indonesian craft products, as part of an effort to strengthen the national batik industry and expand the market for artisans and entrepreneurs.
According to Dr. H. Komarudin Kudiya, Chairman of the APPBI, at a press conference at Rumah Sarwono, South Jakarta, on July 1, 2026, said that this exhibition serves as a promotional, educational, appreciation, and consolidation platform for artisans, batik entrepreneurs, cultural communities, academics, the media, the government, and the wider community to work together to preserve the sustainability of authentic Indonesian batik.
“This exhibition is being held amidst the significant challenges facing the national batik industry. Indonesian batik is a national cultural heritage that not only holds economic value but also embodies historical, philosophical, and national identity. Behind each piece of batik lies a long process involving the craftsmen’s skills, perseverance, taste, and traditional knowledge, from motif creation, to canting, dyeing, and finishing,” he said.
He explained, however, that in recent years, the sustainability of authentic Indonesian batik has faced serious pressure due to the influx of batik-patterned textiles, batik-patterned fabrics, and imitation batik products mass-produced using modern printing technology. These products are often marketed at low prices and use the term “batik” without proper explanation of the production process. This situation makes it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish between hand-drawn batik, stamped batik, combination batik, and batik-patterned textiles.
This phenomenon has had a direct impact on traditional batik artisans. Many artisans have experienced a decline in orders, reduced production, weakened incomes, and some have even abandoned the batik-making profession due to their inability to compete with industrially produced batik-patterned textiles.
“If this situation continues, Indonesia risks losing the guardians of traditional knowledge that have long been the mainstay of Indonesian batik. Based on this concern, the Indonesian Batik Association (APPBI) is presenting the 2026 Puspa Nuswantara Batik Art Performance as a concrete effort to raise public awareness, strengthen the artisan economy, and emphasize the importance of supporting authentic Indonesian batik,” Komarudin Kudiya affirmed.
However, when asked why the theme was “Rupa Makna Tambal Nusantara” (Shape of the Archipelago’s Patchwork), he immediately replied that the theme was chosen as a symbol of diversity, strength, and hope. “The shape” represents the visual richness of batik from various regions, “meaning” emphasizes the philosophical value behind each motif, while “patchwork” serves as a metaphor for togetherness to reweave the strength of Indonesian batik artisans.
He added that as an arts and cultural performance, Puspa Nuswantara 2026 will feature several important agendas. One of the main agenda items is showcasing batik collections from Pakualaman Yogyakarta as a form of respect for the heritage of royal batik and the aesthetic richness of classic batik, which holds historical, symbolic, and cultural value. high.
On the same occasion, this performance will also serve as the launch of Batik Puspawicitra, a work by GKBRAA Paku Alam X. The launch of this work is part of the Puspa Nuswantara spirit of uniting tradition, creation, and the sustainability of batik as a cultural heritage that continues to live and thrive.
“With this spirit, APPBI invites all Indonesians to strengthen authentic Indonesian batik amidst the pressure of a flood of batik-patterned textiles in Jakarta. They are invited to attend, support, and enliven the 2026 Puspa Nuswantara Batik Art Performance, which is not just an exhibition, but a cultural call to preserve authentic Indonesian batik, strengthen the artisan economy, and restore the dignity of batik in its own homeland,” he concluded. [traveltext.id]
