Art, culture, and traditions survive best when they are constantly practised, sustained, and celebrated by the communities that live them every day. Through the Ngardi’a Manu: Nak Nak Dini, Setia Mencipta collective exhibition, local communities in Tengkulak Kaja, Gianyar, showcase the intersection of art, traditions, and everyday life.
Running from 15 October to 25 November 2026 at Bumi Kinar Ubud, the exhibition brings together 13 artists and collectives to explore how art and culture thrive and adapt across generations. The title Ngardi’a Manu comes from the Balinese expression “Satyaning i manu ngardi’a budaya”, referring to a commitment to building and preserving culture. Setia Mencipta is the exhibition’s core value, emphasising that traditions should not be treated as something frozen in time, but rather as living practices that we continue to uphold.
The exhibition explores different ways of engaging with tradition. Drawing on traditional visual languages, the artworks address contemporary discourse and social issues. Among the participating artists and collectives, BRT Official presents an installation featuring Kamasan-style paintings that explore Balinese Hindu cosmology, depicting deities such as Iswara and Wisnu alongside Bhuta Kala and Durga. Meanwhile, artist I Wayan Sukrayasa revisits the Mahabharata through a Kamasan painting depicting Abimanyu’s death in the Battle of Kurukshetra.
Art has long been an integral part of life in Tengkulak Kaja, shaping the community’s identity while supporting its economic sustainability. The village has a long history of artistic production. During the 1990s, it was known for its sculptors, while in 2018, local artists began incorporating Kamasan painting into their decorative works and painted umbrellas.
The exhibition is open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM.
For more information, please contact +62 813 1333 1300 or visit the website bumikinar.com/buki-gallery
The Gallery at Bumi Kinar Ubud
Jl. Raya Goa Gajah, Kemenuh
+62 813 1333 1300
@bumikinarubud
bumikinar.com/buki-gallery
