Art Inclusivity: Rumah Ombak Kreasi Successfully Holds Collaborative Exhibition in Bekasi
By: Lesh Dewika
Artist & Writer
Rumah Ombak Kreasi (ROK), a community-based creative space led by Widyanto Gunawan, successfully held an exhibition of the results of the Creative Week Workshop at Mega Bekasi Hypermall from July 6 to 9, 2025.
The exhibition, themed “Inclusive Empowerment as a Driver of Interest in the Arts,” was the culmination of an extraordinary initiative.
It successfully brought together diverse individuals and groups in an inclusive celebration of the arts.
The exhibition featured collaborative works resulting from intensive workshops that ran from January to July 2025.
The workshops involved the active participation of various groups, including the general public, people with disabilities, students, local residents, and the Bekasi arts community.
Several communities and institutions actively participating included the Duren Jaya Family Welfare Movement (PKK), the Pangudi Luhur Bekasi Rehabilitation Center, the Kardinal Dance Studio, and the Putra Budaya Music Studio.
Support from the Bekasi City Tourism and Culture Office (Disparbud) also played a significant role in the success of this event.
The works on display are the result of explorations of various art forms, ranging from visual art (murals, pastel and acrylic painting, batik using gutta tamarind and tie-dye techniques, ecoprinting, clay art, and stencils).
Then there are music (specifically percussion made from recycled materials), dance, and wayang performances.
This diversity of techniques and media reflects ROK’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in the arts.
In addition to the main exhibition, the event also featured a Clay Art workshop and watercolor painting demonstrations, providing visitors with opportunities for hands-on participation.
Widyanto Gunawan, Chair of ROK, emphasized that this exhibition is not simply an exhibition of artworks, but rather a process of uniting diverse perspectives.
“We believe that inclusivity is the lifeblood of art itself,” he said.
ROK is committed to creating a safe, open, and equal space for every individual to express themselves, regardless of their background, abilities, or circumstances.
This exhibition is also supported by the 2024 Indonesiana Fund Cultural Activities Production Services Program, specifically the Public Space Empowerment Program, initiated by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia and the Education Fund Management Institute (LPDP) of the Ministry of Finance.
This program aims to support the advancement, preservation, and development of national arts and culture in an inclusive and sustainable manner.
As part of the series of activities, ROK also held a painting competition for elementary, middle, and high school students throughout Greater Jakarta.
In addition, a talk show themed “Art, Inclusivity, and Its Positive Impact on the Environment” was held, featuring speakers from the Bekasi City Department of Tourism and Culture, Maja Yusirwan (Secretary of the Bekasi City Department of Tourism and Culture), Ian Wongkar (educator and painter), Valiant Octo Karaba, S.AB (Director of PT Psikologi Sukses Mulia & Branch Manager of STIFIN Genetic), and moderated by Lesh Dewika (artist and writer).
The presence of these speakers enriched the discussion on the role of art in building an inclusive society.
The Creative Week Workshop Exhibition featured an interactive gallery of collaborative works by workshop participants, painting competition winners, and various other supporting elements.
Contemporary wayang performances, dance, and recycled music also enlivened the event. Lesh Dewika, who also participated as an artist and writer, emphasized that this exhibition is clear evidence that art is a limitless space, able to accommodate all groups regardless of age, gender, or physical condition. For ROK, inclusivity in art means equality and equal access for all.
This exhibition marks an important milestone in building a more just, equitable, and representative arts ecosystem in Bekasi.**
Jakarta, August 1, 2025
—
