a window into art in Bali & Indonesia
When the Visa-on-Arrival into Bali was suspended 20 March at Denpasar airport, this confirmed how serious the Indonesian authorities considered the threat of Covid19 to health and safety of the island’s inhabitants. Seemingly, after weeks of speculation, they took severe measures which have destroyed the tourism economy and impacted on the Balinese, Indonesian and expatriate … Continue reading “Locked down” on the Paradise island Bali?
Balinese artist Wayan Arnata first came to my attention in June 2013 in the landmark exhibition ‘Irony in Paradise’ by the collective Sanggar Dewata Indonesia (SDI) at the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) in Ubud, Bali. ‘Nike Barong’ 2013, Arnata’s mixed media reflection upon the changing nature of the Balinese identity depicted the iconic … Continue reading Balinese traditional practices fuse with contemporary ideas in Wayan Arnata’s beautiful fibrous artworks
Overshadowed by the creative hubs of Java, Bandung, Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Bali is often disregarded by international art lovers and this may be due to the tourism-led commodification of art and culture. However, in the past six years, there has been significant development in the fascinating and distinct Bali art infrastructure. Bali was not immune … Continue reading Overview of the Bali art infrastructure 2019
Art is a personal experience; its impact on every individual is never the same. When I attend an exhibition, I can be driven by my own innate needs – to engage with fresh visual stimulus to satisfy the hunger and to feed the space between my ears. This wanting can sometimes hinder my ability to … Continue reading Sign: Darma Yuda’s Poignant Hyperrealism investigation into duality
The first Bali Art+Design Guide X Bali Arts Road, a pocket guidebook that charts a plethora of events around the island, ranging over three months beginning in October, until the end of December 2019. The Balinese Pawukon calendar is not used to measure time; it encompasses smaller cycles within larger ones. Its purpose is to … Continue reading New guidebook highlights artistic & design events in Bali throughout October – December 2019
Balinese Kamasan Painiting Balinese painting has a rich and unique history dating back over 400 years. Originally the work of artisans from the East Javanese Majapahit Empire (13-16th Century), this special narrative style of painting expanded into Bali in 1343 when the Majapahit conquered Bali, introducing the Hindu culture, and institutions. The collapse of … Continue reading Balinese art patronage – now & then
“The Dream” 2015 – Made Sutama (b. 1977 Keliki) Eighty works of fine art went under the hammer before an enthusiastic floor of bidders at Ubud’s ARMA museum 21 August Larasati Traditional, Modern & Contemporary Art auction. The attractive array of paintings in Balinese traditional styles and Indonesian modern and contemporary genres offered good … Continue reading Reviewing Larasati’s ‘Traditional, Modern & Contemporary Art’ Auction: Bali August 2016
“The Charming of Mandara Giri” 1605 Natural pigments on paper. Image courtesy of Museum Puri Lukisan Imagine you are a master Balinese painter, and your King has recently commissioned you to create a work. As you sit down in front of a large cloth stretched upon a wooden frame with a pencil in hand, for … Continue reading Balinese Kamasan Paintings
Patih Lahwel – Ida Bagus Made Togog Results of the special 10th anniversary Larasati Balinese Modern Traditional & Contemporary Art auction at Ubud’s ARMA museum 28 February confirm that the market for Balinese traditional art is growing steadily while providing excellent value through the low to medium and high price ranges. For sale amongst … Continue reading Reviewing Larasati’s 10th anniversary Balinese Modern Traditional & Contemporary Art Auction
life as art asia 