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Paintings
of Bali
Paintings of Bali have experienced remarkable evolution.
Traditionally another means of expressing religious and mythological
ideas, paintings of Bali have been subjected to a number of
influences, including deep interaction with Western painters
who came and lived in Bali. As with any other artistic expression
found in the island, these influences have been uniquely adapted
into Bali's personality, creating new nuances and styles of
paintings that are distinctly Balinese. Instead of religious
or mythical characters of wayang, contemporary paintings present
nature, daily lives of Balinese, or even tourists. The shades
of coal gray that dominate traditional paintings are now accompanied
by vibrant play of color capturing Jalak Bali or Gunung Agung
in the morning sun.
The Raja of Ubud was known for his fondness of arts and paintings,
and his openness to foreigners. Thus Ubud became the center
of arts, welcoming into its heart renowned artists such as
Bonnet, Spies, Blanco, Snel, et., many of whom came and never
could leave Bali. Today's Ubud is only slightly different.
You should not be surprised to run into a foreign writer who
has spent months living in a homestay facing a rice field
terrace while writing his next book. Fabulous museums of paintings
such as the Puri Museum Lukisan, the Neka Museum, and the
Rudana Museum have in their permanent collections some of
the best paintings ever produced by Balinese or foreigners
who found their physical and artistic home in Bali.
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