a window into art in Bali & Indonesia
Since November Bali’s southern regions have enjoyed a flow of domestic tourism. The streets of Ubud were transformed during the Christmas holiday period. From zero to something; the much-needed injection of funds into the economy is vital and provides a ray of hope. Let’s trust that 2021 is a brighter year, especially for those whose … Continue reading 2020 Bali art scene overview
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
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?
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
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
After the Harvest, 2019 – Joel Singer “I approach every magical day here in Bali with gratitude and wonder. Gratitude for having the joyful privilege of living on the gorgeous rice fields north of Ubud,” says Canadian avant-garde filmmaker and photographer Joel Singer who first visited Bali in 1979 and has lived here for … Continue reading Images of Bali fuse with Old Masters paintings to create landmark pictorials
Chout Ballet Curtain, (The Choreography of Cutting) at Tony Raka Art Gallery, Ubud – Image Courtesy of Honold Fine Art & Evelyn Pritt Australian contemporary artist Sally Smart has a long and enduring bond with Indonesia, having first exhibited in 2005 at the Jogja Biennale. “I have a special fascination in the shadow theatre, and … Continue reading Smart’s cutting parade of choreography
Pixel Buddha – Rodney Glick What is the value of human life? How does our society appraise personal endeavour, imagination and creativity when the priority of doctors and medical staff in hospitals is the preservation of life? Governments and penal systems assess prisoners as having little to contribute to community, some electing to terminate … Continue reading ‘Dipping in the Kool Aid’ highlights collaborations between contemporary artists & inmates of Bali prisons
Inmates participating in art making workshop at Klungkung jail. In early April this year Australian contemporary artist, Mary Lou Pavlovic, was advised by the apexart gallery New York that the proposal she’d written in response to their open call Apex Franchise Exhibition, offering four funded exhibition opportunities, had been successful. Pavlovic ranked third out … Continue reading Exhibition highlights the collaborations between contemporary artists and inmates of Bali prison
Rarely in Bali does the observer have the opportunity to experience art of such a unique and “other worldly” quality as created Balinese contemporary artist Putu Wirantawan. The fundamental key to Balinese traditional art is drawing, for Wirantawan, however, it serves a different function to that of his artistic forefathers. About 15 years ago Wirantawan … Continue reading The Cosmic Worlds of Visionary Balinese Artist Putu Wirantawan
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