Bali Art World Personalities : Meet Ruth Onduko
The 2008 GFC (global financial crisis) spelt disaster for the Bali art world. The Indonesian art market, after a record boom, went to bust with collector’s buying immediately slowing, galleries around the island closed, while others wound down their activities. The woes continued with a decrease in tourism and smaller holiday budgets – luxury items

Genesis Creative Centre: Indonesia’s First ‘Artists Co-Working Space’ Opens in Bali
A brand new take on the ‘co-working’ model now common around the world has just emerged in Bali. Genesis Creative Centre, found in the up-and-coming area of Canggu, elevates the co-working concept and applies this to the creative industries, offering a multi-disciplinary space for those working in the arts. Bali is an island of creatives:

Emerging Balinese artists tour Netherlands cities as a part of the TiTian Prize
Yayasan TiTian Bali – the TiTian Art Foundation (YTB) – was inaugurated 29 January 2016 at Bentara Budaya Bali Cultural Center, Sukawati. Since its introduction onto the Bali art landscape TiTian, pronounced “titi – an” meaning “stepping-stone” in Balinese, has captured the attention of the Balinese art world with its exceptional program of exhibitions, workshops,

Aswino Aji’s Artistic Observations of the Ego in the Face of Balinese Culture
An acute sense of observation is an essential talent for a contemporary artist. The ability to scrutinise and reflect on one’s own conduct and thoughts, along with that of the collective, is a doorway to art rich in meaning. For more than a decade Balinese artist Made Aji Aswino has been an avid onlooker and

Satya Cipta – the Rise of a Unique Female Balinese Talent
A beautiful, naked woman with long flowing hair sits legs raised, feet positioned above her head. In her left hand she is holding a red lotus flower covering her groin. “Fragrance” an intimate, yet daring sketch by Balinese artist Satya Cipta ‘speaks’ of the feminine physical, and worldly splendour, and according to the artist, a

Art Bali – The Premiere Event to Position Bali on the Global Art Map
The first Art Bali contemporary art exhibition was officially opened by the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia Sri Mulyani on the 9th of October in Nusa Dua. Held in conjunction with the 2018 annual meetings of the IMF-World Bank Group at Nusa Dua, Art Bali highlighted the works of 39 Balinese, Indonesian

Bali Inspired: Volcom Artists Bring Balinese Art to the Forefront
American clothing brand Volcom has made a home in Indonesia, being part of the surf and skate scene 1996. Beyond that, they have embraced local art and culture in Bali with their Bali Inspired Tees. NOW! Bali speaks to two of the Volcom artists from creative team from Volcom Indonesia who are behind this t-shirt

Empowering Bali’s Women Artists: Futuwonder
During the year a small, yet enthusiastic gathering of volunteers set out to make a very significant contribution to Balinese art. “Puan Empu Seni: Edit-a-thon”, was conducted on the 7th of July in Bali within a fun and learning environment at Rumah Sanur-Creative Hub. It was a part of a national drive to increase the amount

DenPasar2018 Art + Design: An Exhibition and Movement
During the month of October a unique program of activities was presented by CushCush Gallery (CCG) in Denpasar highlighting the on-going transformation of the city into a modern creative hub that is evolving side-by-side with its cultural and historical icons. Opening on the 5th of October DenPasar2018 Art+Design – An Exhibition & Movement headlined the program

Balinese Painter Gede Mahendra Yasa Honoured in Prestigious Asia-Pacific Art Prize
During a recent presentation ceremony at the National Museum of Singapore on the 29th of June, the winners of the Asia-Pacific Breweries Signature Art Prize 2018 were announced. After Paradise Lost #1, a colourful and complex narrative painting of everyday life intertwined with history, by Balinese artist GedeMahendraYasa was short-listed for the prize along with

Meet the Designer of Garuda Wisnu Kencana : Nyoman Nuarta
Rising at a height of 121 meters on top of a pedestal, the statue of Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) has finally been completed after 25 years of construction. This landmark icon stands proudly on the top of Ungasan hill, inside the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park area. The gigantic copper and brass sculpture is of

A Guide to Buying Balinese Art at Auctions
Art expert and contirbutor Richard Horstman gives us the ins-and-outs of art in Bali, especially for those looking to buy real art from real Balinese artists. These are best found at official auctions, to which Richard helps us guide our way through such an event: Are you interested in art in Bali? Ever thought of buying at an

Balinese Art Patronage Now & Then
Balinese art has a rich and unique history dating back over 400 years. Originally the work of artisans from the East Javanese Majapahit Empire (13-16th Century), this special narrative style of painting expanded into Bali in 1343 when the Majapahit conquered Bali, introducing the Hindu culture, and institutions. A Short History of Balinese Art The Kamasan