By: Kevin Alexander*)
The arrival of Pope Francis in Jakarta was a historic moment that was enthusiastically welcomed by the Indonesian people. The Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican), Michael Trias Kuncahyono, stated that all preparations for Pope Francis’ pastoral visit to Indonesia have been thoroughly completed. This visit marks the third visit of a Pope to Indonesia, following Pope Paul VI in 1970 and Pope John Paul II in 1989. This indicates a strong and long-term relationship between Indonesia and the Vatican.
Pope Francis is known as a figure who is active in building relationships with various religious communities around the world. This visit aims not only to strengthen interfaith relationships but also to spread a universal message of peace. This message is very relevant to the social situation in Indonesia, which is known for its rich cultural and religious diversity. Pope Francis not only focuses on interfaith dialogue but also strives to spread a universal message of peace. In the context of Indonesia, which is a country with cultural and religious diversity, this message holds particular relevance. This visit is expected to strengthen the bonds between religious communities and promote the values of unity in a diverse society.
During the visit, various activities and events are planned to reflect efforts in addressing differences and building bridges between various religious communities. This aligns with the peace mission brought by Pope Francis. These events are expected to have a positive impact on all parties involved.
As a welcome to the arrival of Pope Francis, renowned painter Denny JA presented ten paintings displayed at the National Gallery from September 2 to 4, 2024. This exhibition is part of the Tolerance Festival organized by the Indonesian Conference on Religion and Peace (ICRP), in collaboration with Esoterika and the Spiritual Forum.
Denny JA’s paintings are specifically designed to convey messages of unity and diversity, which are highly relevant to Pope Francis’s visit. Denny JA, who is also known as the founder of the Indonesian Survey Circle, fully utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the process of creating his works, making him the first Indonesian painter to comprehensively apply this method.
Senior art critic and author of dozens of books on culture and art, Agus Dermawan T, has written a review of ten paintings by Denny JA created specifically to welcome the arrival of Pope Francis in Jakarta. The exhibition of the ten paintings will be held at the National Gallery from September 2 to 4, 2024, during the Tolerance Festival organized by ICRP. For the painting exhibition and related competition, ICRP is collaborating with Esoterika and the Spiritual Forum.
Agus, a figure of diversity and also the founder of the Indonesian Survey Circle, is the first Indonesian painter to fully utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in the creation of his works. This innovative approach is considered a breakthrough in painting in Indonesia.
Although Denny JA is a Muslim, his commitment to diversity and interfaith dialogue led him to choose a unique way to welcome the Pope through his artwork. Five out of ten paintings depict Denny JA’s imagination of Pope Francis’s visit to Indonesia, centered around the overarching themes of diversity, unity, and hope. One of the paintings depicts two veiled women kneeling before the Pope, while an elderly man sits in a wheelchair pushed by an old woman, surrounded by joyful people in the courtyard of a pesantren, showcasing a sense of togetherness in diversity.
Another painting depicts Pope Francis embracing a child with deep reverence, surrounded by other children joyfully praying, set against the backdrop of a magnificent mosque, emphasizing the importance of interfaith unity. There is also a painting that depicts the Pope welcoming scholars and followers of various religions in the church courtyard, creating an atmosphere full of joy that reflects harmonious interfaith dialogue. In addition, Denny JA also presented a painting titled “The Pope Washing the Feet of the Indonesian People,” which depicts the Pope washing the feet of a young man by the riverbank.
This exhibition not only showcases paintings depicting the Pope’s visit but also invites visitors to reflect on the larger themes of unity and tolerance. These works are expected to strengthen the message of unity amidst Indonesia’s diversity.
The Tolerance Festival organized by ICRP serves as an important platform to showcase how art can be used to convey deep moral and social messages. Denny JA’s painting exhibition is a concrete example of how art can bridge differences and strengthen relationships among religious communities.
The community welcomed this exhibition with pride, seeing it as a symbol of pride and a tangible manifestation of Indonesia’s commitment to tolerance and diversity. The presence of Pope Francis, along with the artwork, serves as a moment to celebrate and strengthen the values of unity in society.
With this exhibition, it not only celebrates the arrival of Pope Francis but also affirms his role as a painter who emphasizes important messages in the social and religious context. This is an opportunity for society to reflect on the values that build unity amidst diversity.
*(The writer is a student from Bandung living in Jakarta.)*