Contemporary Balinese Painting

The Balinese works of art featured in this catalogue were collected between 1929 and 1958 by the Dutch artist Rudolf Bonnet (1895-1978) while he lived and worked in the Balinese village, Ubud. Bonnet befriended the prince of Ubud, Cokorda Gede Agung Sukawati (d.1978) and lived in the palace grounds in Ubud during his early years on Bali. For centuries the kings of Ubud were the protectors and patrons of architecture, sculpture, painting, dance and music. Ubud was one of the areas renowned for the development of 'modern' Balinese painting from the 1930s. The works in this catalogue are owned by Leiden University in the Netherlands. The National Museum of Ethnology in Leiden has maintained this collection since its acquisition from Rudolf Bonnet in 1961. These paintings are arranged here according to four geographical areas: Tampaksiring (chapter I), Ubud (chapters II and III), Batuan (chapter IV) and Sanur (chapter V). The specific characteristics, style and content of the works by artists from these towns and villages are examined. The Leiden University collection of modern Balinese art supplements the permanent exhibition of similar works in the Puri Lukisan Museum in Ubud, which were also selected by Rudolf Bonnet. Both are included in this book.

Balinese Art is the first comprehensive survey of Balinese painting from its origins in the traditional Balinese village to its present position at the forefront of the high-priced Asian art scene. Balinese art has been popular and widely collected around the world for many decades. In fact, the contemporary painter who commands the highest prices in Southeast Asia's hot art market is Bali-born Nyoman Masriadi (1973-). This book demonstrates that his work draws on a long and deeply-rooted tradition of the Bali art scene. Balinese painting has deep local roots and has followed its own distinctive trajectory, yet has been heavily influenced by outsiders. Indian artistic and religious traditions were introduced to Bali over a thousand years ago through the prism of ancient Javanese culture. Beyond the world of Indonesian art, Balinese artists and craftsmen have also interacted with other Asian artists, particularly those of China, and later Western artists. From these sources, an aesthetic tradition developed that depicts stories from the ancient Indian epics as well as themes from Javanese mythology and the religious and communal life of the Balinese themselves. Starting with a discussion of the island's aesthetic traditions and how Balinese art should be viewed and understood, this book goes on to present pre-colonial painting traditions, some of which are still practiced in the village of Kamasan--the home of "classical" Balinese art. However, the main focus is the development of new styles starting in the 1930s and how these gradually evolved in response to the tourist industry that has come to dominate the island. Balinese Art acquaints readers with the masterpieces and master artists of Bali, and the final chapter presents the most important artists who are active today and serves as an introduction to their work.

Blending modern, chic designs with traditional sensibilities, the architecture and decor of Bali is the gold standard for tropical living. A thatched Balinese bale', overlooking a panorama of rice fields and open to the evening breeze, or a courtyard that combines temple carving with relaxing, recreational lounging space are enduring features of a distinctive "Bali-style". Shimmering pavilions, open verandahs, living rooms that invite the outside landscaping in--all are part of the Balinese tropical living experience. This book focuses on these timeless features and shows the new and exciting ways in which they are being interpreted. All the contemporary villas, resort bungalows, shops, restaurants and other buildings in the book, most never photographed before are new additions to the Bali scene. Each is unique, and, most importantly, characterized by a distinctly modern feel. Cleaner lines, more imaginative use of space, sharp angles, and the use of stone, concrete and ceramic roof tiles, are increasingly visible along with the coconut wood, teak and thatching. Stunning color photographs depict the residences set within their natural landscapes; architectural details; and a stunning array of individual interiors. Meticulous text compiled by an expert in tropical design relates the various stages of the development of this new, international style, and complements the fascinating array of interiors featured.

Visitors to the island of Bali are often overwhelmed by the abundance and variety of paintings they encounter. But what is a typical Balinese painting? In this book, newly updated and with new illustrations, the author examines the religious and social values and techniques of painting that constitute the Balinese style, and then describes the intriguing period of transition in which Balinese art finds itself today, torn between the demands for mass production for the tourist trade and the desire to preserve in traditional paintings Bali as the "last paradise."