The exhibition opened on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Soemardja Gallery, CAD Building, ITB, featuring selected archives and works by Umi Dachlan, including her major painting “Lust for Life” (1995) which lends its title to the show. This bullfighting-themed piece is considered one of Umi’s finest in her matador series, reflecting the courage, vitality, and steadfastness that defined her career.

The opening ceremony began with remarks from Danuh Tyas Pradipta, S.Sn., M.Sn., Head of Soemardja Gallery, who stated, “I am pleased that this exhibition presents archival materials about our lecturers and the history of the school.”

Next, Dr. Kiki Rizky Soetisna Putri, S.Sn., M.Sn., the head of the research team, explained that the archival research on Umi Dachlan only began intensively two years ago, after realizing the lack of documentation on female figures in FSRD ITB. “We were involved in the retrospective exhibition of Rita Widagdo, and that experience felt like a wake-up call. Do we have sufficient data on female figures of the Bandung School? From that point, we began our efforts, leading to this exhibition,” she explained.

The opening continued with a speech from Dr. Gita Winata, S.Ds., M.Ds., Vice Dean for Resources of FSRD ITB, who emphasized that Umi Dachlan was not only a great artist but also an educator who shaped many painters at FSRD ITB. Dr. Irma Damajanti, S.Sn., M.Sn., Head of the Aesthetics and Art Research Group at FSRD ITB, expressed her hope that visitors would find inspiration in every object on display.

A representative of Umi Dachlan’s family, M. Taufiq, also gave his appreciation for the exhibition. The ceremony concluded with an address and official opening by Prof. Emeritus Imam Buchori Zainuddin, followed by a curatorial tour led by Dr. Kiki Rizky Soetisna Putri.

The “Lust for Life” exhibition runs until August 18, 2025, at Soemardja Gallery, FSRD ITB. In addition to showcasing artworks, it also features personal and public archives, also documentation of Umi Dachlan’s creative process. The organizers hope that the event will help reconnect with the intellectual and spiritual legacy left by Umi, while inspiring younger generations.