Senyummu Tangisku, 2018 – Made Sujendra
In Klungkung, East Bali, the former capital of the island, stands Kerta Gosa. An 18th century mandala shaped pavilion within the royal palace built by the monarch Dewa Agung Gusti Sideman, it functioned until 1908 as the kingdom’s court of law and justice.
Its ceilings are adorned with paintings from a Hindu Mahabharata epic, in the classical Balinese narrative style featuring wayang characters derived from the shadow puppet theatre. Scenarios describe divine retribution for law-breakers, one scenario depicts the afterlife fate of being cooked alive in cauldrons of boiling water by the ogres of hell.
The paintings served as teaching modalities promoting good moral behaviour and peace within Balinese society, and they are a source of inspiration behind Hell Sign, a solo exhibition of paintings by I Made Sujendra, open 1 December at TiTian Art Space, Ubud.
Installation view of “Hell Sign” at TiTian Art Space, Ubud, Bali
“Balance is the key to life according to the Balinese and when this is forsaken during the afterlife we will be subjected to dire consequences according to karmic laws,” Sujendra said. “My paintings are stirred by my observations of life, and what is necessary for us to learn in order to live harmoniously, and ultimately avoid the cycle of reincarnation.”
“In my search for a new style within the framework of the Batuan techniques I moved away from the conventional crowded and complex compositions,” said Sujendra who is considered an outsider within the Batuan School of Balinese traditional art. “I experimented with simpler more minimal configurations that balance empty space with iconography in order to create a fresh and strong aesthetic impact.”
“Atma Prasangsa” , 2011 – Made Sujendra
Lineage and the master/pupil relationship have played an important role in the development of Batuan painting, the most critically acclaimed genre of Balinese traditional art. Born in 1964, Sujendra is the son of accomplished painter Wayan Kabetan, who was a student of the iconic Batuan modernist innovator Nyoman Ngendon (1906-1946). “The Greedy Priest”, Sujendra’s landmark 1984 painting was featured in Dr Jelantik’s 1990 book Balinese Art, after which he was labelled the original ‘surrealist’ of the Batuan School.
Sujendra pioneered imagery and compositional structure in the mid 1980’s that more recently has become one of the catalysts in an exciting revival in the Batuan School, led by the new generation of emerging painters like Ari Sarmanta, Wayan Budiarta and Pande I Made Dwi Artha.
Nafsu (Lust) 2018 – Made Sujendra
Exploring life choices and the karmic consequences we are subjected to in the hereafter according to ancient Balinese beliefs, Sujendra’s themes include lust, adultery, greed, abortion, and reincarnation. In Kerja 2018 (work) Sujendra describes the afterlife scenario for those who have chosen an lazy and idle earthly existence. The payback is an eternity in hell as a beast of burden. Men are tethered to ploughs being whipped by demons, balls of fire explode with every stroke of their whips. With bodies are large and rotund, their faces depict anguish and dismay.
Senyummu Tangisku (Your smile is my tears) 2018, reveals two child-like characters cutting down trees. One offender is receiving retribution – restrained by two of hell’s guardians, one giving thumbs up and expressing delight, while the other cuts open the wrongdoer’s head with sharp tooth saw. For those who venture into the forest and shoot the wildlife without restraint Berburu & Diburu 2018 (hunters & the hunted) reveals hunters surrounded and under siege by a bevy of angry animals and demons. The afterlife scenario depicts the hunters being hunted by the very creatures they once pursued.
Made Sujendra at TiTian Art Space
And while Sujendra’s colourful and black and white compositions are indeed confronting they are, however defined by his sense of humour. His demonic creatures are at once serious, yet playful, exuding both horror and charm – his ogres appear as lovable ‘clowns’.
Eleven paintings and 2 installations feature in Hell Sign. Eight paintings are grouped together and presented as an installation that includes a large, flowing minimal red line mural of demonic creatures painted upon the gallery floor. The area has been cordoned off so that onlookers do not enter the space to closely inspect the works. They are forced to observe from a distance the group of paintings as a whole, and as a painting installation.
Saya Kemana, 2018 – Made Sujendra
“Exhibitions are about communication, and not only just display,” said TiTian Art Space founder Soemantri Widagdo.
Since its inception onto the Bali art landscape in January 2015 TiTian has set out to reconfigure the norms that have hindered the local art gallery model. In Hell Sign TiTian pushes the boundaries of exhibition design and presentation so that the local art audience has an opportunity to experience traditional art within a new framework, in fresh and exciting manner.
Detail of Mabuk, 2018 – Made Sujendra
“We strive to be at the leading edge of presenting art to the public, and we will push the boundaries using innovative exhibition design principles,” stated Widagdo. “Beyond our trademark of exhibiting only 9 paintings, we wish to introduce a new language in communicating ideas behind the artworks. We will explore installation concepts as our trademark rather than just a collection of hung paintings.”
A schoolteacher for the past two decades, Sujendra is well aware of the younger generation’s attraction to the imagery of the digital era. For them the Kerta Gosa paintings have lost their potency and appeal and a new aesthetic code is required. Sujendra’s renderings of the Balinese legends and folklore, however are a proven language, already a source of inspiration for the emerging artists of Batuan.
Tantri – the Greedy Priest, 1984 – Made Sujendra
Partial installation view at TiTian Art Space
Hell Sign until 30 January 2019
TiTian Art Space
88 Jalan, Bisma, Ubud, Ginayar, Bali
Open Tuesday – Sunday 9am – 5pm
Words: Richard Horstman
Images courtesy: Richard Horstman & TiTian Art Space
*Author’s note: No part of the written content of this website may be copied or reproduced in any form, along with article links uploaded to other websites, for any commercial purposes without the written permission of the author. Copyright 2020
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