The history of Indonesia’s struggle for independence, as far as textbooks and official versions go, has always featured soldiers and warfare. Almost all heroes were soldiers in times of war.  

The idea of the central role of wartime soldiers in the context of the nation’s journey is preserved not only through historical education but also through visual images passed down through bureaucratic hands. One that is still visible today is the creation of museums and city landmarks that almost always feature wartime heroes, especially soldiers in important positions. 

‘Wars and Heroes’ highlights how the public responds, either through the production of images in public spaces whether murals, monuments or reliefs themed on nationalism and the history of the struggle for independence. These self-help productions (which are not made by professional artisans, but by local youth or individuals) depict their version of the struggle and the heroes in Indonesia’s history, while also showing how the technical skills of visual arts are mastered by laymen.

Wars and Heroes highlights on people’s response towards militarism and nationalism discourse on history, especially during Independence day Ceremony, using images or shapes that they made in public space.