Eruption of Mount Agung 1963

At 3142 meters, Mount Agung is Bali’s highest and most sacred mountain. In 1963 it erupted for the first time in living memory, causing widespread death and construction. Entire villagers and many temples were toppled or buried under thick layers of ash and lava. Thousands of people lost their lives. Those fortunate enough escaped with only a few processions rolled up in mats or carried on shoulder poles. Traditional Balinese fire motifs are used to show flaming lava bombs falling from the sky. The artist’s vivid depiction in black and white is in many ways more effective than a photograph.
Ida Bagus Nyoman Rai (1915; Sanur, Badung, Bali) is a self-taught artist since the 1930s. He has emerged as one of Bali’s most well known artists because many of these ink paintings have been reproduced in books and magazines. Rai’s unique style emphasizes contour, form, and rhythm. He simplifies figures in a boldly naïve manner with much humor and often eroticism. Exhibitions: Singapore Art Museum (1994), Museum Nasional (Jakarta, Indonesia, 1995), Center for strategic and International Studies (Jakarta 1996), Indonesia-Japan Friendship Festival (Morioka, Tokyo, 1997). (BTN/suteja neka)

Fertile Land 1980

The fertile red-brown earth of Java is carved into hillside terraces for non-irrigated crops. The colors of the land are bright with the stylized patterns of plants, trees, and people at work. The naïve rendering with deep perspective has a decorative and rhythmic character.
Suhardi (1937-1988; Bogor, West Java) studied at Academi Seni Rupa Indonesia (ASRI, Indonesian Academy of Fine Arts) in Yogyakarta, Central Java. His naïve style paintings of landscapes and village life are very colorful and idyllic scenes. They have a great deal of simple detail, which create strong visual rhythms. Award: Indonesian- American Friendship Society (Jakarta, Indonesia, 1947) Exhibition: Indonesian Artists (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1967), Fukuoka Art Museum (Japan, 1980), Festival of Indonesia (U.S.A., 1990-1992), Centre for Strategic and International Studies (Jakarta, 1990), Indonesian-Japan Friendship Festival (Morioka, Tokyo, 1997). (BTN/suteja neka)

My Playful Journey

One of the most difficult challenges faces by contemporary Balinese artists, like Made Kaek, is to define the relationship between their traditional cultural heritage, being Balinese if you like, and being a modern artist.
The Balinese and writer, Degung Santika, has written several essays concerning the “burden” of being Balinese. While his remarks are largely tongue in check they also contain a severe truth-non-Balinese expect the Balinese to conform to often ill-fitting stereotypes that disregard their individual character.
On the international art scene this mirrored in the fact that most of the exhibitions of non-Western artists in the West take place, not in museums of modern art, but rather Ethnological Museums. The truth is that the art of Made Kaek and other important Balinese artists rise above their cultural roots while simultaneously acknowledging it.
Astonishingly Kaek’s art owners as much to the graffiti artists of urban New York as it does to the Balinese ritual and religion. In this exhibition entitled, My Playful Journey, Kaek demonstrates the ease with which he flows between the west and east but also consciousness and unconsciousness. While it would be easy to speculate on its connection with ancient rituals and culture, I would suggest a new approach of viewing it as the unique vision of a highly talented artist who just happens to be Balinese.
(BTN/ Bruce Carpenter 2005)

Asrul “The Amazing Painter”

KUTA - Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel & Villas and The Community of Painting Art proudly present “ASRUL” The Amazing Painter – a physically challenged painter who is performing at the hotel’s lobby from Monday, 19th December 2005 to Thursday, 19th January 2006. He performs painting shows, face sketches with pencil, post card painting. During his performance, you can also purchase his artworks. “I would like to invite you all to join our charity event. By purchasing one or more of our paintings, you are supporting Bali’s children and orphanages”, said Mr. Urs Klee, General Manager of Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel & Villas. (BTN/*)