Category: Balinese Contemporary Art Photography

Swoofone: a glimpse into the future of contemporary Balinese art

by Richard Horstman

‘The Book of Infinite Knowledge’ 2020 – Swoofone Mixed media on wood. 120 x 175cm. ‘The Island of the Gods’ is an incomparable sensuous experience. Mysterious and captivating, our perception encounters fascinating visual and non-visible layers. Bali’s thriving artistic landscape increasingly contributes an aesthetically potent and relevant dimension. One young artist has recently impacted the … Continue reading Swoofone: a glimpse into the future of contemporary Balinese art

Cakravala: a new Indonesian cultural portal with vast horizons

by Richard Horstman

I am fascinated by the evolution of creativity within contemporary culture. We are living in exciting times and the pandemic has accelerated our human potential. I believe the artists and creatives lead the way. Their imagination, activities and questioning introduce society to new, functional experiential forms and technologies manifesting in a better world – a … Continue reading Cakravala: a new Indonesian cultural portal with vast horizons

Positive 2020 developments on the Bali art & cultural landscape

by Richard Horstman

Exciting additions to the Bali art and cultural infrastructure in Mas, Ubud: Bersama Alternative Space, Njana Tilem Museum, Black Hand Gang & Titik Dua. The unravelling of global socio-political and economic events defines 2020 as the most extraordinary in modern history. Meanwhile, Bali’s tourism sector is in crisis due to the closing of international borders … Continue reading Positive 2020 developments on the Bali art & cultural landscape

Bridging traditions with the now through local and cross-cultural activities: Bentara Budaya Bali

by Richard Horstman

Bentara Budaya Bali Kelas Kreatif with leading Balinese architect Popo Danes Image courtesy of Bentara Budaya Bali Bali is a unique meeting point between tradition and modernity. One of its distinctions is its fascinating culture that is, however, under increasing pressure from outside influences and the Indonesian nation-state. Sited in Sukawati, on the main link … Continue reading Bridging traditions with the now through local and cross-cultural activities: Bentara Budaya Bali

Revealing Chinese and Balinese Cultural Connections through Art: Meet Tjandra Kirana

by Richard Horstman

“A New Spirit of Balinese Tradition”, 2019 – Tjandra Kirana Watercolor on Chinese Paper One of the most charming characters within the Bali art community is Tjandra Kirana. Quick with a smile, and always ready to share a light-hearted joke, or a tale, he is gifted with a generous, and effervescent personality. Born in Denpasar … Continue reading Revealing Chinese and Balinese Cultural Connections through Art: Meet Tjandra Kirana

Balinese art eccentric – Ida Bagus Alit

by Richard Horstman

                             The effervescent Ida Bagus Alit The art world adores eccentric characters. Lurking beneath the exterior of Balinese artist Ida Bagus Alits’ wacky persona is, however, a highly practical, compassionate and intelligent man. These traits meld into an effervescent personality that enchants everyone he meets. Within the Balinese art world Gus Alit, as he is … Continue reading Balinese art eccentric – Ida Bagus Alit

2016 Bali art scene 2016: reviewing the final six months

by Richard Horstman

Budi Agung Kuswara with patient from Rumah Berdaya, a community based psycho-social rehabilitation center utilizing art as a tool for creative solutions. The concluding six months of events on the 2016 Bali art calendar were exceptionally busy; the following are some of the highlights of the closing half of the year: In late May contemporary … Continue reading 2016 Bali art scene 2016: reviewing the final six months

Balinese photographer Ida Bagus Putra Adnayna

by Richard Horstman

                                             “Kijang Kencana” 2015- Gustra In the 1920’s the first ever collection of black and white photographs of Bali were published in two volumes. In the previous century, however, Dutch colonialist began documenting the island and images began to trickle through to a select, and curious European audience. In the current era of digital media … Continue reading Balinese photographer Ida Bagus Putra Adnayna