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Non-Balinese Artist
Beginning in the 1930s, an influx of foreign artists fell in love with Bali and did some of their most significant work here. The famous Dutch painter W.O.F. Nieuwenkamp traveled and painted on Bali long before Spies, Bonnet, or anyone else. In fact, it was he who informed Bonnet about Bali. Willem G. Hofker and Bonnet became masters at painting the female form. Bonnet worked mainly in crayon on paper and his paintings today fetch very high prices. Theo Meier (1908-1982) inspired by German expressionists, painted vibrant and colorful religious ceremonies. All the works of these Europeans today command much higher prices than any Balinese artist of that era. Paintings by Spies, who died at age 47 and painted few canvases, sell for as much as US$500,000. Any of the others' work can easily fetch US$50,000. The canvases of contemporary painters also can fetch astronomical sums. Australian Donald Friend (1915-1990) was a gifted writer and wrote several books, which he himself illustrated. The flamboyant hilltop home of Antonio Blanco (b. 1926) is a shrine to erotic art and illustrated poetry. Han Snel (b. 1925), a Dutch soldier who refused to fight the Indonesians in their war of independence, owes much to his teacher, Theo Meier. Arie Smit (b. 1916) paints mainly landscapes and temples in oil or acrylic. Smit has always been prolific though now that he's nearing the age of 82 he is slowing down somewhat. Javanese, Sumatran, and Western artists have started moving into the area between Mas and Ubud, setting up shop and selling paintings to tourists-competing with the Balinese on their own turf. Each year new art styles come into vogue, then fade out. |
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