Top 5 Artisan Markets in Jakarta
Markets have been a part of Jakarta city life for hundreds of years and have now evolved to be popular tourist attractions; but it is the 'Artisan Market' that is the relative newcomer to Jakarta. Typical of artisan markets around the world, artisan markets in Jakarta are held in unique spaces and it is the nature of these places that make the artisan market experience all the more pleasurable.
It will probably come as no surprise to you that Jo and I have been frequenting artisan markets for as long as we can remember. There is not a market we would say no to, and this is especially true when the locally made and handcrafted are involved.
Please join us on our 'Top 5 artisan markets tour'; where we will indulge your visual senses in unique local architecture and give you a peek into the best artisan wares Jakarta has to offer!
Markets in restored buildings
1. OLVTOWN Creative Market in Gedung OLVEY
If you've taken a stroll through Kota Tua recently and thought, yes, there is certainly some gentrification going on, wait until you see this...by far my favourite building in the Jakarta Old Town. It's Number one on our artisan market list and here's why!
Gedung OLVEY or the OLVEY Building, is a beautifully restored Dutch building erected in 1921-1922 for Dutch life insurance company OLVEH (Onderlinge Levensverzekering Van Eigen Hulp). The Olvey is the latest building revitalised by the Jakarta Old Town Revitalisation Corporation (JOTRC) in Kota Tua, and has a unique story and represents an impressive architectural achievement.
Gedung OLVEY is located in an area now called 'Pinangsia' which is derived from the Dutch word 'financien' showing that the area was a business or financial district in colonial times. Currently Gedung Olvey houses a publishing and art/magazine company called Saraswati Art.
Name of the Market: OVLTOWN is curated by Semasa di Kota Tua. Its vision is to present Kota Tua as a creative art destination.
Where: Jl. Jembatan Batu No.50, Pinangsia, Kota Tua (opposite Stasiun Kota)
What you will find: Indonesian creative products, artworks and food by brands such as Mimesa Home Products Agugn Derau Made Ceramics Bhumi Tea Bollu Land Kemala Home Living Tyaga Goods to name a few. OLVTOWN market also hosts Art workshops, Walking tours of the Old Town (Kota Tua) and a Tea festival.
How to stay connected: Follow curator and hosts Semasa Di Kota Tua and Saraswati Art on Instagram and the IG Hashtag #olvtown for the next creative market.
Latest Gedung OLVEY news: This weekend 21 January 2017, Semasa di Kota Tua is holding an Open House at Gedung OLVY with the launch of its very first Cafe + Shop. It will be open every day 11am-6pm. So here's your chance to check out this beautifully restored building.
The impressively restored 'Gedung OLVEY'
Once inside you will be delighted to see this! Exposed bricks and marble stair cases restored to their former glory.
Looking up at the building's atrium
Dutch style stainglass windows
Artisan markets provide the perfect opportunity to meet local makers and a chance to purchase one of a kind ceramics and one-off art pieces. This is Puti from Derau made ceramics. Puti lives in Bandung with her husband Agus whose artwork is also displayed on this table.
The founders of Mimesaa Home Products, Julia and Indra at OLSVTOWN. Did you see their stunning marble and teak home wares in The ajb 2016 Holiday Gift Guide?
A quaint scene looking down from Gedung OLVEY towards Stasiun Jakarta Kota
2. Semasa di Kota Tua Christmas Market in Gedung Pos and Batavia Market Restaurant
Another unique architectural find in Kota Tua and curated again by Semasa di Kota Tua is in the newly rejuvenated Gedung Pos or Post Office Building. I'm touting this location as possibly the most charming setting for an artisan market in Jakarta. Let me know if you agree?
Where: Fatahillah Square, 2nd Floor, Post Office Building (Gedung Pos). Once inside Gedung Pos climb the spiral staircase to Batavia Market, where you will discover this new culinary - art - culture precinct.
What you will find:
A showcase of Indonesian locally designed and made products by brands such as
Chic & Darling Cotton and Tartlets Kameahome Klen & Kind KROMA Kaminari Manakala Ms.Ink Pipiltin Cocoa Srou Surely Someday Kitchen Taneuh Threadapeutic Yuu Yuu Tea
How to stay connected:
Semasa has at least 4 creative markets per year. Follow them on IG for their latest event or the brands that you are interested in from the links above.
The historic Gedung Pos to the right overlooking Fatahillah Square. Batavia Market is located on the 2nd floor. The entrance is on the far right of the building. Look out for the large Batavia Market sign.
A charming view of Fatahillah Square on a Sunday afternoon
The Batavia Market restaurant is cleared for the weekend to play host to the Semasa di Kota Tua Christmas Market
Delicious home baked biscuits by artisan baker Surely Someday Kitchen
Mmmmh Chocolate from Pipiltin Cacoa
Markets in Community Artspaces
3. Pasar Seni (arts market) at Dialogue Artspace
Many of you would be familiar with the Dialogue Artspace building in Kemang, characterised by bare concrete and glass and home to contemporary art, locally made treasures, books, old travel posters and good coffee.
Throughout the year Dialogue Artspace hosts and curates a range of artistic,cultural and design festivals and events. Three to four times per year these events coincide with an arts market (pasar seni).
Where: Jl. Kemang Selatan No.99A, Kemang Selatan
What you will find: Jewellery, clothes, local art, furniture, food and decorator items from brands such as Obie Hello Mr Sunday From Tiny Islands Noesa Satu We are the people The Distillery Asia Homemate Icebar
How to stay connected: Follow Dialogue Artspace IG
The contemporary outdoor space adjoining the Dialogue cafe and gallery
Cendy Mirnaz, one of the founders of ikat camera strap brand Noesa Satu
Pasar Seni vendors at Dialogue Artspace
Meet local artists and take home your own original artwork
Watch as your chosen artwork is carefully wrapped for you to take home
Only decision left now is where to hang your chosen piece?
Markets in Co-working Spaces
4. Kemang Rooftop Market curated by Cowork Inc and Paisley Things, located inside the WIMO building
Co-working spaces have become popular worldwide, offering startups and emerging creatives instant networking opportunities and camaraderie. Cowork Inc. is one of Jakarta’s newest coworking spaces, located inside the WIMO building in Kemang, South Jakarta.Cowork Inc. and Paisley Things both value locally sourced, locally made and locally impactful. Together they organise the Kemang Rooftop Market.
Where: WIMO Building, 3rd fl. Jl. Kemang I/No. 07 Jakarta Selatan
What you will find: Crafts, Heritage food products, indigenous art, essential oils, jewellery and sustainable fashion from brands such as: Paisley Things, Something by Nice Takako, Moloka, Farm Cinta Bumi Artisans Javara Sababay Winery and Du'anyam
How to stay connected: Follow Coworkinc IG
(Kemang Rooftop Market Video supplied by Coworkinc)
Markets in Cafes
5. Sunday Best Market in 1/15 Coffee
Three to four times a year well renowned South Jakarta coffee house 1/15 Coffee host their Sunday Best Market. Here you will find a selection of arts, crafts, and fresh produce straight from the farm. The added bonus of visiting this market is you get to enjoy great coffee and the all day breakfast in this very hip warehouse style building. What's not to love!
Where: Jl. Gandaria 1 No. 63, Kebayoran Baru
What you will find: Home made preserves and peanut butter, fresh local eggs, micro herbs,ceramics, hand poured candles and handmade woven pieces by brands such as Blueboots Farm TANEUH Duft and Chandelle and Petang Hari
How to stay connected: Follow 115 Coffee IG
Samantha Gunawan founder of Blueboots Farm in Bogor. Blueboots are passionate about developing local products sustainably and organically
Micro herbs planter kits from TANEUH
A big decision... start at the market or with coffee?
Why not gather the whole family for the next 1/15 Sunday Best Market, enjoy a healthy breakfast together before shopping at the artisan market
You might also like:
Found at an Arts Market: WE ARE THE PEOPLE Jewellery
Introducing Local Artist Dewi Tobing
Abstract Messy and Fun with Nabila Delaseptina of SROU
5 reasons to visit Sunda Kelapa and Kota Tua
Market Feature: Pasar Tanah Abang
Market Feature: Pasar Modern
Market Feature: Pasar Bunga Rawa Belong
Words: Liz McClean Photography: a journey bespoke
