Bali Painting

Bali Painting Artworks by Young Balinese Painter / Artists.

Bali Painting History

In the past, Balinese artists were patronized by kings, princes and temple councils. The majority of their works served ritual and magical functions, emphasizing the symbolism of a temple ceremony or domestic sanctuary, or supporting claims of divine authority by the ruler. Traditional calendars, with their attendant astrological symbols, also Formed an important category of works.

A major center of traditional painting was and still is located at Kamasan, near GeIgel in Klungkung regency. Village craftsmen here once served rulers who reigned over the whole of Bali. Other centers were located in Gianyar, Bangli, Karangasem, Tabanan, Sanur and Singaraja, where local rulers resided or were influential. After the Dutch took over Bali in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the authority of the rulers waned and new patrons had to be found. As a result, modern influences soon manifested themselves.

Traditional drawings for magical purposes (rerajahan) were inscribed with a stylus on palm leaves, potsherds and metal, then blackened with soot. Others on cloth or paper are executed in black ink. The ink was formerly made of soot, and paints were handmade from natural dyes. At present, Chinese ink imported paints are used. Cloth paintings were only displayed during religious ceremonies; the subject matter being chosen to harmonize with the intent of the ritual.

Artistic conventions were passed down from father to son. There are fixed elements of style, ornamentation and overall composition. Human figures were represented in the so-called wayang style, a reference to the leather figures in the wayang kulit puppet play. The figures have characteristic cloth jewelry, coiffures and headdresses, and their facial features and figures indicate their class, age and character. Sky, rocks and ground are indicated by specific shorthand ornaments. There is no perspective.

Bali Painting Maestro

I Gusti Nyoman Lempad has today become part of the life of Balinese painting. He is a source of inspiration that never dries up for ensuing generations of artits. When speaking of the history and development of Balinese painting, his name inevitably crops up all over. This, then, is the tale of the Ubud villager, a born artist who is now an exalted member of the Balinese fine art constellation in Indonesia, who was still quite young when his family fled Blahbatuh, grew up and married, and built a home which is still inhabited by his grandchildren to day.

More info on Bali Painting Maestro

Bali Painting Today

As Bali opened up to tourists after 1965, young Balinese painters and sculptors as well as many Javanese, Sumatran and Western artists settled in the area between Mas and Ubud. Almost every year a new art style (Pop Art, Macro Art, Magic Realism) emerges and new materials and techniques (batik, silk- screen) have become highly fashionable.

Only a small number of Balinese painters receive formal art training either abroad or at the Indonesian art academies in Yogyakarta (operating since 1950) and Denpasar (foundeded in 1965). Formally trained artists work in styles and with subjects that differ completely from those of other Balinese painters.

The work of the non-academic painters is still heavily influenced by stories from the epics and folktales, to the extent that many cannot be understood without a knowledge of Balinese literature. All painters, however, are fond of depicting daily Balinese life with its rituals and dramatic performances.

Most non-academic painters produce primarily for the tourist market. Many less talented ones, often children, engage in mass production of imitations of works by their more talented colleagues for sale in” art markets” and shops.

Balinese art is now displayed in many fine art galleries and several museums in Bali. Through Bonnet’s efforts, a museum for modern Balinese art, the Puri Lukisan, was built between 1954 and 1956 in Ubud. Sales annexes were added in 1972 and 1973. In 1979, an Arts Center, also designed for tourists, was opened in Denpasar. Expositions of paintings and sculptures are now held there, especially in conjunction with the yearly Arts Festival from July to August.

Our Bali Painting Gallery

Showcasing online gallery by our friends featuring several painting artworks but mostly in abstract sytle paintings. Soon our online gallery will add some new painters and their artworks will be available for viewing in their own gallery pages.

Bali Painting Museum & Gallery

Bali has some famous fine art galleries and painting museum, most of them located in Ubud village. Just find fine art gallery museum like Rudana Museum in Ubud, Neka Fine Art Museum in Ubud, Seniwati Gallery: fine art gallery for woman artists, Museum Puri Lukisan also in Ubud as being the first private museum of Balinese arts since 1954. Other painting museum like Agung Rai Museum of Art which features works from Bali's most celebrated names such as Spies, Hofker, Bonnet and Affandi, the last famous museum gallery is Antonio Blanco Renaissance Museum. Dedicated to the life and works of Philippino artist Antonio Blanco. The museum includes his orginal studio, gardens and family temple.