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The Academic Painters Style

Modern Balinese art is now expanding and developing in two different directions: the art of artisans and the art of academicians.

Academically trained painters are concerned with a distinct personal style and a national identity. With formal training in the European tradition from art academies on Java and in Denpasar, they exhibit a diversity of styles. Only in subject matter, not in ingenuity and skill, do they differ from their European or American counterparts.

The captivating erotic sketches of Nyoman Gunarsa have been very well received. Though he has had academic training on Java, Gunarsa has also been heavily influenced by the traditional wayang style. His museum and gallery are just before Klungkung (if traveling from Gianyar), but he spends a lot of time on Java.

Wayan Lotra is self-taught, but paints in an academic style and has been much influenced by Hofker and Bonnet. Abdul Aziz, Lee Man Fung, and Basuki Abdullah employ Balinese and Javanese motifs and diverse techniques (including painting on batik), and have a tendency toward abstraction.

A growing number of Balinese artists, particularly those affiliated with government schools like STSI, are breaking away from modern traditional (kreasi baru) and are producing advanced and sophisticated experimental art.

With the strong support of an emerging Balinese urban middle class, they have created a distinct local version of an international, cosmopolitan artistic culture that is only partly Balinese.

Young artists to keep your eye on, all of who show a strong and unique creative vision, are Made Sumadiyasa, Ngakan Rai Lanus, Ketut Budiana, Nyoman Cakra, and Ketut Soki.