The Iconic Category for the 2025 edition is dedicated to highlighting artists who demonstrate a long-term commitment to the development of Indonesian visual arts, both through a consistent career trajectory and their active involvement in the art community.

Artists in this category not only possess a strong artistic track record, marked by sustained practice, significant exhibitions, and contributions to the development of mediums and discourse, but also play a crucial role in shaping networks, communities, and the broader art ecosystem. Their dedication is evident in their ability to maintain relevance across time, their involvement in formal and informal educational processes, and their participation in the social dynamics of art that influence how the public understands and appreciates contemporary visual arts.

Thus, “Iconic 2025″ is not merely an accolade for personal achievement but an acknowledgement of their historical and social contribution in shaping the landscape of Indonesian visual arts today.

Butet Kartaredjasa

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Butet Kartaredjasa (born 1961, Yogyakarta) is a renowned Indonesian actor, satirist, and visual artist. A graduate of STSRI “ASRI,” he began his artistic journey in the fine arts before rising to national prominence as a stage actor. Since the 1980s, Butet has been a key figure in Indonesian theater, especially through his iconic monologues that sharply satirized political power during the late New Order era—earning him the title “King of Monologue.”

Alongside his theatrical career, Butet has remained active in the visual arts. His solo exhibition at the National Gallery of Indonesia (2017) marked a renewed focus on painting, ceramics, and drawing. His recent works explore the meditative practice of wirid—repeatedly writing his own name to create symbolic patterns that reflect personal reflection, spirituality, and an evolution from public political satire to intimate visual expression.

A multi-talented artist, Butet continues to bridge performance and fine art, shaping contemporary Indonesian culture through humor, critique, and a deeply personal creative language.

Nasirun

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