No one can deny that Persib is more than just a football team. The club, born in 1933, has become part of daily life, conversations, journeys, habits, and memories that are continuously carried forward from time to time. There are moments of victory and defeat, routines of watching together, objects kept, and stories that are continuously retold.
From there, a living relationship is formed between Persib and its public. So, what happens when artists respond to Persib as a work of art? Naturally, a variety of expressions and ideas are born, then manifested in the form of artworks. That is the common thread of “Cultura Persib,” a cultural exhibition that immortalizes the journey of the champion.
The “Cultura Persib” exhibition is being held at the Grey Art Gallery, Jalan Braga, Bandung, from June 9 to September 10, 2026. In the “Cultura Persib” exhibition, there are 95 works and objects representing various perspectives on Persib’s history, Bobotoh culture, the identity of Bandung City, and the club’s journey through the ages.
These diverse works are presented in forms including paintings, sculptures, visual installations, murals, historical archives, memorabilia, historic jerseys, and thematic rooms that invite visitors to explore Persib’s journey across generations. As a space for cultural collaboration, “Cultura Persib” involves dozens of artists, creators, and contributors from various backgrounds. They participate through invited artist, open call artist, and contribution artist schemes.
Through diverse artistic approaches, the participants present interpretations of the journey, values, and identity inherent in Persib and its supporting community. Deputy CEO of PT Persib Bandung Bermartabat, Adhitia Putra Herawan, stated, “Cultura Persib” is a tribute to the long journey that the club has traversed with all parties who have been part of the ecosystem.
The achievements attained by Persib in the last few seasons do not belong only to the club, but to all Bobotoh and the community who have grown together with Persib all this time. “Through this exhibition, we want to invite the public to see that behind every match and trophy, there is history, values, creativity, and an emotional bond that has formed a strong relationship between Persib, the City of Bandung, and its people.
Persib has always had a special place in the hearts of the people,” said Adhitia. According to him, for decades, this club has not only presented football matches but has also become part of the identity, pride, and social life of the people of Bandung and West Java. This momentum becomes even more meaningful because it takes place after a historic season and will conclude before the start of the 2026/2027 Super League.
New Spirit
Adhitia emphasized that “Cultura Persib” can serve as a bridge between the achievements that have been attained and a new spirit to face the next journey. Through art and cultural approaches, “Cultura Persib” invites the public to see Persib from a broader perspective, not just as a football club, but as a meeting space for various stories, values, creativity, and collective memories that continue to live from generation to generation.
Owner of Grey Art Gallery, Ella Yoesman, said that “Cultura Persib” was born from the belief that Persib is one of the most influential cultural phenomena owned by the City of Bandung. Its presence is not only felt in the stadium but also lives in various social and creative spaces of the community.
According to Ella, through the involvement of artists, creators, and contributors from various backgrounds, as well as the presence of 95 works and objects in this exhibition, Grey wants to show that Persib has become a source of inspiration that transcends football and has developed into part of the city’s cultural identity.
The hope is that “Cultura Persib” can become a meeting space between history, art, the community, and various generations of Bobotoh, while simultaneously introducing another facet of Persib to a wider public. “We feel honored to be able to collaborate with Persib to present this program. Moreover, this exhibition arrives at a special moment after the club recorded a historic achievement that will always be an important part of the journey of Indonesian football,” said Ella.
