PlatiGleam at Borobudur Temple: A Historic Milestone

Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world, hosted Nelson Ferreira's solo exhibition Nyawiji (The Union) featuring PlatiGleam paintings. It was the first time this 1200 year old temple hosted a solo art show. This initiative represents not only a landmark event in the international art scene but also a dialogue between contemporary times and a thousand-year-old historical heritage.

The paintings were created at night in Borobudur, Prambanan and Sewu temples, as part of a nocturnal project that transformed these sacred spaces into settings for artistic contemplation. The platinum surfaces of PlatiGleam captured the ambient light, producing reflections that emphasised the connection between Nelson Ferreira's art and the temple’s meditation on impermanence.

The exhibition marks a historic moment, introducing contemporary art into a site dating back to the 9th century, with over 2 million stones, 500 Buddha sculptures and five kilometres of carved narratives distributed in 2,600 relief panels. This project demanded meticulous respect for cultural heritage and careful presentation of the artworks, highlighting the responsibility involved in exhibiting in places of such historical significance.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Injourney Destination team and opened with a dinner attended by 125 special guests, prepared by chef Vicky Putra (owner of restaurant Bakmi Jowo Mbak Nuning, near Prambanan Temple). The programme included traditional Javanese music with a gamelan orchestra, and Kidung Tribangga Dance performed by Avadana Dance Studio, culminating in the unveiling of the artworks. A particularly striking moment was the sudden illumination of Borobudur Temple, a phenomenon that usually occurs only during religious ceremonies, creating a unique atmosphere and reinforcing the exhibition’s exceptional character.

Opening of Nelson Ferreira's exhibition Nyawiji (The Union) by Avadana Dance Studio, before unveiling his paintings – click on the image to play the video.

The public responded with focused attention, experiencing full immersion that highlighted the ability of Nelson Ferreira’s art to engage in dialogue with culturally diverse audiences.

The public's first contact with the PlatiGleam paintings – click on the image to play the video.

And a few people enjoying the exhibition after the crowds went home:

The relaxing moments after the party.

Some visitors travelled ten long hours on motorbikes to be here.

Media coverage of the exhibition was extensive, further emphasising the event’s significance in the international art context. The initiative demonstrates the potential to combine artistic innovation with heritage appreciation, fostering reflection on art, spirituality, and cross-century cultural dialogue. Here are some of the newspaper articles and TV programmes that reported on this historic event: InJourney Destination (English article by Borobudur Temple) Berita Magelang Borobudur News Borobudur Temple Borobudur Temple IGTV Detik (#1 news and media website in Indonesia) Detik Travel Harian Jogja iNews Jateng Jateng Press Jawa Pos Radar Kabar BUMN Liputan6 Metro Jateng Metro Siang Metro TV Metro TV Jateng Nusantara TV Pikiran Rakyat Prambanan Temple Radar Jogja Radio Republik Indonesia (State radio) Suarabaru Suarabaru Channel Suara Jateng Tribun Jogja

This exhibition was followed by Nelson Ferreira's appointment as Cultural Ambassador of Borobudur, and he was sent to paint at Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

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