The Hidden Philosophy of Keben
Everybody knows that many Balinese ceremonies require a large number of offerings, including canang, kwangen, fruits, and much more. To make carrying these offerings easier, Balinese people often use a woven bamboo vessel known as a keben and it is a familiar sight at temples and religious ceremonies across the island. But why is this particular
DERAU dan KEMARAU, Noise and Drought Make Way For Compelling Art At Project Etere’s Ubud Residence
A secret to successfully conveying artistic ideas to an audience is the artist’s ability to economise their visual design language. “Less is more” is a creative philosophy that emphasises the value of austerity and minimalism. By reducing unnecessary elements in an art composition, the artist can achieve greater clarity and effectiveness in communication. One of
Senduro: The Persistent Shadow of Majapahit over Java and Bali
In the Balinese psyche, Java is never a distant memory. It exists as a physical and psychical tether, illustrated by the myth of Bali as a dragon’s tail severed from the Great Body of Java.This link is explicitly evoked in the 15th-century Tantu Panggelaran, which first describes the gods transporting fragments of India’s cosmic Meru
The Origins, History, and Significance of Keris in Indonesia
Few objects capture Indonesia’s rich heritage like the keris. Distinctive to Java and Bali, this dagger is more than a weapon — it is a ceremonial cultural symbol. Keris are used in many different respects: as weapons, as talismans with magical powers, as sanctified heirlooms, as equipment for court soldiers, as an accessory for ceremonial
Megapapan: A Highlight of Artistry.Bali’s Artisan Fair at Ubud’s SIKA Gallery
The rise of digital illustrators is a burgeoning phenomenon in the contemporary art and creative spheres of Bali and Indonesia. This was especially emphasised during the COVID pandemic when the global physical art infrastructure shut down and the virtual world flourished. Illustration is a powerful visual design language which distinguishes itself from fine art by
Emerging Balinese Curator & Gallerist Krisna Sudharma Steps Out Onto the International Art Stage
NOW! Bali Magazine talks with Krisna Sudharma, curator and artistic director of Nonfrasa, a contemporary art gallery in Ubud, established in early 2021, during the second year of the pandemic. We reflect on Nonfrasa’s first five years of operation, Krisna’s vision, journey, and his collaboration with Desa Projects, culminating in Octopus 26: Melange, a group
Cili: The Symbol of Beauty and Fertility
Have you ever heard the term ‘jegegne cara cili’? It means ‘as beautiful as a Cili’ and is quite the high form of compliment coming from a Balinese person, as Cili is considered a symbol of beauty. However, what is Cili, and what does it even look like? Cili plays an important role in religious
Tyra Kleen – Illuminating the Mystical Language of Mudras
In the realm of early twentieth-century art, few figures blend mysticism, adventure, and cross-cultural curiosity as seamlessly as Tyra Kleen. Kleen pursued a path that took her far beyond the conventions of her time, charting her own course through art, travel, and spiritual exploration. Her journey led her to Java and Bali, where she became
“Hari Ini Aku Kembali Pulang” – Dayu Sartika Returns to the Bali Art Scene
An artist’s voice, their unique style which identifies them among their peers, is an essential aspect of a successful artist. For an emerging artist, young, talented, sensitive, ambitious, and impressionable, the journey of self-discovery in discerning who they are, what, and how they wish to express their creativity can be extremely difficult to unearth. A
Nandusin & Tlengis: Bali’s Forgotten Flavours & Timeless Techniques
At Warung di Kebun, rare culinary traditions are both served and preserved in the heart of Denpasar. Few plants have had such a long and directly symbiotic relationship with humankind as the coconut. With famously numerous qualities as a source of natural materials, and fruit that offers sterile, nutrient-rich water in a convenient, hard-wearing container, it’s not surprising that
Bathing in Indonesia In Early Prints and Photographs
Bathing and cleanliness hold a significant place in Indonesian society, closely connected to the country’s tropical climate, religious beliefs, social customs, and overall well-being. Bathing is not merely a hygienic practice but is deeply rooted in spiritual, communal, and cultural traditions. When Europeans arrived in Indonesia from the 16th century onward, they were struck by
Alchemy of the Soul: The Somya Purifications Ahead of the Balinese New Year
As the ninth month of the Saka Year, Sasih Kesanga, approaches its conclusion, Bali awakens from the prolonged lethargy of the monsoon. Clouds dissipate, and the celestial expanse offers a renewed clarity. It is a season of curious transitions; the Balinese observe that the canine population is in heat (cicing kesanga) and the initial rice cycle
Gusti Nyoman Darta: Culinary Inheritance in Practice
Most traditional Balinese cooking knowledge is not written down. It moves through practice, carried from elders to younger generations within families and banjar. Measurements are not recorded in grams but felt through texture, temperature, and resistance under the blade. Balance is recognised through aroma and memory. Technique is learned through repetition rather than formal instruction.
