Our History

Hadiprana Gallery as the first art gallery in Indonesia since 1962 enters its 59th anniversary in 2021. A noteworthy achievement as one of the longest operating galleries, which promotes fine art in Indonesia. The gallery has continuously distinguished itself with its events and exhibitions.

Oasis in the bitterness

In this new gallery, the artists that were already good friends with Hendra offer their creations in consignment. Beside paintings from modern Indonesian artists, there were also traditional and post-traditional arts and craft. These high-quality creations should not only be offered to the appreciation of the public but should also be for sale. For sale? Yes, for sale. This raised a serious question; was it possible for Prasta Pandawa Gallery to sell arts and crafts in the economic turmoil of 1960's. Were there any people able and interested in buying works of art in a country that was in a state of social commotion, faced with political frictions and inter-group conflicts? 

Hendra, being supported by Jennewati, managed the gallery professionally. His good manners, sophisticated social skills and ability to communicated in several foreign languages, allowed him to maintain the Prasta Pandawa Gallery operating at a high level. Not only art lovers and prominent Indonesian intellectuals, but also ambassadors, corps diplomatic members, and expatriates came to buy works of art.     

In 1970, Hadiprana developed Prasta Pandawa into an all-new concept. Located at Jl. Paletehan I no. 38, just across the road from the existing gallery, Hadiprana named the new space, the Hadiprana Gallery as his partnership with Oetojo Goemilang had ended. Under his ownership, Hadiprana was free to develop the mission of the gallery as he saw fit with a view exploring more opportunities to offer and sell fine art to a wider public. Meanwhile, the idea of a gallery offering all kinds of works of art within an interior design approach grew considerably and was wildly supported by numerous groups and Indonesian artists.

In this new premise the space was more spacious and interesting. There was an in-house garden and pond. Next to a stretch of walls to hang paintings, there was a room to show sculptures. The room on the other side, Taman Batik, was devoted to displays of batik textiles. Some of the room upstairs were used as offices for the Hadiprana’s Architecture and Design consultant.

Hundred of events have been held in the Galeri Hadirpana with good results. Ultimately, he moved the gallery to Jl. Kemang Raya 30, in South Jakarta. Given the available space in the new building, Hadiprana let parts of the building to other businesses in line with the gallery concept. These tenants are called “Mitra”, hence the name of Mitra Hadiprana for this elegant building devoted to art. Since 1997, Galeri Hadirpana has held numerous events under the direction of Puri Hadiprana, one of Hendra's daughters.

Gallery for Art Appreciation

In this new gallery, the artists that were already good friends with Hendra offer their creations in consignment. Beside paintings from modern Indonesian artists, there were also traditional and post-traditional arts and craft. These high-quality creations should not only be offered to the appreciation of the public but should also be for sale. For sale? Yes, for sale. This raised a serious question; was it possible for Prasta Pandawa Gallery to sell arts and crafts in the economic turmoil of 1960's. Were there any people able and interested in buying works of art in a country that was in a state of social commotion, faced with political frictions and inter-group conflicts? 

Hendra, being supported by Jennewati, managed the gallery professionally. His good manners, sophisticated social skills and ability to communicated in several foreign languages, allowed him to maintain the Prasta Pandawa Gallery operating at a high level. Not only art lovers and prominent Indonesian intellectuals, but also ambassadors, corps diplomatic members, and expatriates came to buy works of art.     

In 1970, Hadiprana developed Prasta Pandawa into an all-new concept. Located at Jl. Paletehan I no. 38, just across the road from the existing gallery, Hadiprana named the new space, the Hadiprana Gallery as his partnership with Oetojo Goemilang had ended. Under his ownership, Hadiprana was free to develop the mission of the gallery as he saw fit with a view exploring more opportunities to offer and sell fine art to a wider public. Meanwhile, the idea of a gallery offering all kinds of works of art within an interior design approach grew considerably and was wildly supported by numerous groups and Indonesian artists.

In this new premise the space was more spacious and interesting. There was an in-house garden and pond. Next to a stretch of walls to hang paintings, there was a room to show sculptures. The room on the other side, Taman Batik, was devoted to displays of batik textiles. Some of the room upstairs were used as offices for the Hadiprana’s Architecture and Design consultant.

Hundred of events have been held in the Galeri Hadirpana with good results. Ultimately, he moved the gallery to Jl. Kemang Raya 30, in South Jakarta. Given the available space in the new building, Hadiprana let parts of the building to other businesses in line with the gallery concept. These tenants are called “Mitra”, hence the name of Mitra Hadiprana for this elegant building devoted to art. Since 1997, Galeri Hadirpana has held numerous events under the direction of Puri Hadiprana, one of Hendra's daughters.

Gallery in Four Era

From successes to successes, the gallery reached the age of 40 in 2002. Sweet memories came back. Many artists who have had contact with the gallery were invited to celebrate and thank God. From the gathering, numerous praises served only to strengthen the status of Hadiprana Gallery as a legend. Here are some of the comments that were made at the opening of Pameran Akbar 40 Tahun Hadiprana Gallery.

"Hadiprana Gallery not only provide an opportunity to grow as an artist but also to offer an occasion for the artists to meet and exchange” said Danarto, a painter and prominent Indonesian author whose writings are considered equals to world class writer, William Blake. “Hadiprana Gallery takes the unique approach of taking the artist under its wing. So, at all time, the artists feel some affection for Hadiprana, and the gallery has been able to exist for 40 years” said Yusuf Affendi, now a professor of art in Universitas Trisakti. In the book, “Mengenang Lintas Seni, 40 Tahun Hadiprana Gallery” we can find some comments made by the artists: “Having an exhibition at Hadiprana Gallery is an exceptional honour for a painter. The selection made by Hadiprana is such that the exhibited works could be used as a barometer of quality” Mulyadi W.

“I am a painter and dancer who frequently journeys abroad on goodwill missions. Being personally close to Hadiprana, he has helped me when traveling in arranging my production according to my flexibility” Bagong Kussudiardjo, painter, choreographer and dancer.

Taking 1962 as the year of its birth, it can be said that Gallery went through 4 periods: Initial phase: Politic as main preoccupation (1962-1965), Transition phase: politic and economy (1965-1975), Third phase: the economy as prima donna (1975-1998), Fourth phase: Reformation (1998 until now). The world of fine arts went through an era of liberalism that led to atmosphere of creation of total freedom. Also, the art market has become groovy and is mainly thinking about money, profit or loss.

Hadiprana Gallery is going into a new era with a new concept, strategic appreciation and actualization. At the end of 2006, Hadiprana Gallery officially occupied a larger and more modern space. Characteristic of the new space are the moving walls which allow for a flexible layout and size for the room, it can be modified in very little time. The look of the new gallery is very attractive and each section of the gallery is facing the Forum Lounge that provides chairs for guests to sit down and mingle, read a book and sip a cup of coffee from Kedai Mitra. The Forum Lounge can be rented for special events.

One interesting room in Mitra Hadiprana is “Gerbang Wedari”. This room is specially designed to showcase Hadiprana Design’s creations in the field of architecture, interior design, landscape, special lighting, and artwork. The guests can see the works in various medium, photos, miniatures, and video screen. During the construction of this room, one of the senior architects in Hadiprana Design, Wedari Hambali passed away. To honour her memory, Hendra gave her name to the room, Gerbang Wedari (Hall of Wedari).

In the renovated Mitra Hadiprana building which stands tall, grand and spacious, Hadiprana Gallery stands side by side with its partners, Hadiprana Jewelry, Hadiprana Signature, Tenun Baron, Kayu Manis, Sama-Sama Boutique, Amethyst, Lucy’s Batik and House of Hadiprana with its interior and home accessories. There is also Deio, a branding consultant, Hadiprana Art Class, which offers highly demanded art education for children and adults, as well as moodboard showroom We can also find the Ama2Gee Hair & Beauty Salon and Kemang Dental Clinic and Madera Coffee Shop with a stylish presentation. Everything inside the Mitra Hadiprana building is “not too far remove from art.”