JAKARTA – On Thursday, 3 July 2025, the exhibition Beyond Unsettled Pasts officially opened at Erasmus Huis, Jakarta. The evening began with remarks from Erasmus Huis Director Nicolaas de Regt and curator Dr Sadiah Boonstra, followed by a warm gathering of artists, cultural practitioners, and institutional colleagues. The opening marked not only the start of a new exhibition but also the beginning of an important conversation on how Indonesia continues to engage with its colonial histories.

Presented by Erasmus Huis and curated by CultureLab, Beyond Unsettled Pasts brings together six Indonesian artists (Arahmaiani, Budi Agung Kuswara, Dita Gambiro, Eldwin Pradipta, Elia Nurvista, and Maharani Mancanegara) whose works address the ongoing legacies of Dutch colonialism. Through powerful visual narratives, the exhibition reveals how colonial structures continue to shape Indonesia’s social hierarchies, cultural memory, and environment. It will run until 1 November 2025, inviting audiences to revisit the past through a contemporary lens.

Curated by Dr Sadiah Boonstra and Sukiato Khurniawan, the exhibition explores how art can open space for reflection and collective imagination. As Boonstra explained, “We curate Beyond Unsettled Pasts to make the colonial past visible and to raise awareness about its lasting effects, while also exploring strategies for imagining a future beyond colonialism.” This approach aligns with CultureLab’s mission to facilitate dialogues between local and global institutions, connecting cultural histories to present realities through creative research and exhibition-making.

Beyond Unsettled Pasts underscores the role of art as a bridge between Indonesia and the Netherlands, acknowledging difficult histories while fostering mutual understanding. Nicolaas de Regt noted that the exhibition reflects the Embassy’s commitment to cultural diplomacy, using art as a catalyst for connection and dialogue. For CultureLab, this collaboration reinforces its vision as a museum and social enterprise that centres Indonesian perspectives in international conversations on decolonisation and cultural exchange.