Kassian Cephas: The First Indonesian Photographer
Often recognised as Indonesia’s first photographer, Kassian Cephas has played an important role in capturing the essence of Indonesian culture, landscape, and society through his lens.Born in 1845 in Yogyakarta, Java, Cephas’s impact on Indonesian photography extends beyond his individual work. He was the first Indonesian to become a professional photographer, laying a foundation for

Dodit Artawan’s Colorful Balinese Pop Art Creations
The avant-garde imagery of the Pop Art movement had a global impact and first emerged in the United Kingdom and the United States in the mid-1950s. Claes Oldenburg, a Swedish-born American Pop artist in 1961, penned a compelling manifesto, part of which reads, “I am for an art that is political-erotical-mystical, that does something other

Primitive Learning: Filippo Sciascia Merges Art, Technology & Nature
The Bali art scene is a unique and rich tapestry. A layered, multi-tiered, ever-evolving hybrid of local and national fine artists, artisans, and visiting and expatriate internationals. Filippo Sciascia, an Italian contemporary artist, has resided in Ubud for over twenty-five years. His relentless curiosity about the human experience has led him on a captivating journey

Balinese Artist Mangu Putra’s Momentary Blurring of a Historical Timeline
An archival Black & White photograph dated 20 September, 1906, depicts a transport boat, part of the naval forces of the Sixth Military Expedition of the Royal Dutch East Indies Army, anchored offshore of Sanur, Bali. Colonial machines of war, equipment, soldiers, and horses disembark into landing vessels bound for Padang Galak beach. Naval artillery

Five Elements of Life: Pancha Mahabhuta Exhibition at The Apurva Kempinski Bali
For the 2024 Powerful Indonesia: Bhinneka Tunggal Ika program in parity with Indonesia’s 79th Independence Day, award-winning hotel The Apurva Kempinski Bali publicly presents the Gallery of Art ‘Pancha Mahabhuta’ Exhibition from 17 August to October 2024 in their Pendopo Lobby. An exclusive idiosyncratic voyage awaits, wherein renowned artists I Made Griyawan and Teja Astawa

Bali Meets France: Fostering Cross-Cultural Exchange in Design
Bali is renowned for its rich traditional heritage and the exceptional creativity of its inhabitants. Its cultural icons blend nature’s offerings with human ingenuity, manifesting in sacred ritual implements, architecture, textiles, painting, sculpture and an array of implements for daily life. The island showcases human expression at the highest levels, with superb attention to detail,

‘Repurposing: Paradise’ Exhibition A Social Commentary on the Current State of Bali Through Art
An aptly timed art exhibition is on display at the classic Ubud resort, Amandari. Created in collaboration with NONFRASA Gallery, ‘Repurposing: Paradise’ features curated pieces that question the island’s status as a ‘paradise’, presenting an artistic commentary on this long-held reputation. On display from 4 May to 30 June 2024, the exhibition features works by

SUN . CONTEMPORARY Gallery Opens in Pererenan
Opening its doors in Pererenan on 4 April 2024, the new SUN . CONTEMPORARY Gallery showcases an eclectic collection of works by established and emerging Indonesian and international artists. Set across two floors, the sleek gallery space is situated behind the popular Shelter restaurant, tucked away from the main road, allowing for a peaceful browse

Stigma Bali: Art Activism Collective Highlights Significant Social Issues
Social issues that impact upon and divide societies continue to receive increasing exposure from a new local contemporary art activism movement. A recent exhibition by the Stigma Bali collective, their third event since April 2023, was themed Discrimination. The exhibition closed at Joshua District, Kediri, Tabanan, on 4 May 2024. “Stigma is a collective exhibition

New Venues Highlight Ubud’s Evolving Art Infrastructure
Ubud’s art infrastructure continues to grow while distinguishing the area as Bali’s art and cultural heartland. Constantly progressing as new initiatives and the culmination of planning and hard work manifests into physical form, exciting new venues grant opportunities to the Balinese, Indonesian and foreign communities, not only economically but also by inspiring creativity and developing

How Ubud Open Studios is Helping to Revive Art Tourism in Bali
NOW! Bali Magazine talks with Mila Shwaiko, co-founder and director of Elami & Co, the organisational team behind the Ubud Open Studios (UOS), to learn more about the visionary programme. Visual art is one of the original cultural icons that, during the first wave of tourism, between 1920 and 1942, helped position Bali on the

Emerging Balinese Artist Made Chandra’s Exciting Classical-meets-Contemporary Visual Style
Classical Balinese painting is an authentic living tradition that has evolved over the centuries with artists introducing personal innovations to sacred religious images that function as a vital narrative role in the culture. During the past two decades, however, contemporary imagining has liberated Classical iconography from the canons of tradition, granting exciting original expression. The

Willem G. Hofker’s Artistic Odyssey and the Cultural Tapestry that Inspired Him
European painters have long been captivated by the beauty of Indonesia. The stunning landscapes and rich colorful heritage have served as an inspiration for many renowned artists throughout history. In this article, Sake Santema from Indies Gallery presents a few works from his collection by Willem G Hofker, whose life and work became deeply intertwined