Return to Abstraction
Group Exhibition
At Tony Raka Gallery, Jl. Raya Mas 86, Mas, Ubud
Tel: 7816785
The Tony Raka Gallery has mounted an impressive exhibition entitled ‘Return to Abstraction’. The exhibition contains twenty-five abstract artists, including: Nyoman Erawan, Wayan Darmika, Made Wiradana, Ketut Tenang, Nyoman Sukari, Gusti Cakra, Ketut Susena, Made Sumadiyasa, Made Mangku, Wayan Sujana, Nyoman Sujana, Made Supena, Putu Sudiana, Made Palasara, Made Adnyana, Ketut Astawa, Made Wiratmaja, Nyoman Diyana, Made Suarimbawa, Wayan Setem, Made Paramita, Kadek Dwiyana, Putu Suardana, Willy Himawan and Rio. This survey stimulates one to some speculations on the common characteristics, be it physical, technical, conceptual and/or theoretical, of Balinese contemporary abstract painting. A difficult task, since an aspect of the art of the past century in general, and this survey in particular, is the range of approaches, concepts and ideologies which it embodies.
The curator of the exhibition, Wayan Parta, suggests that the Balinese artists’ awareness of space and composition derives from traditional Balinese paintings, where the illusion of space is created by organising objects or forms in relation to each other in a rational or abstract manner. Space is created ‘automatically and unconsciously’. Parta feels that space and composition are symbolic for the Balinese artist, in the sense that these qualities have value.
Further, Parta maintains that an awareness of traditional space and composition can be seen in the works of Balinese contemporary abstract artists, even those who have attended Indonesian Art Institutions, and were introduced to the ideologies of modern western art as abstract painting took shape in Bali from the 1980s, but, they did not fully absorb or accept the principles of the western avant-garde. Instead of an ‘emotional’ abstract art, featuring expressive use of color, line, shape, form and brushstroke, these Balinese abstract painters created works full of cultural and spiritual references. Their works represent an art ideology which abounds with symbolic values and metaphors. This can be clearly seen in the canvases ‘Sengketa Perbatasan’ by Ketut Astawa and ‘Mencari Cerah’ by Nyoman Diyana.
It is tempting to see a pattern emerging within Balinese contemporary abstract art, and the curator, Wayan Parta, must be admired for his thoughtful insights. However, the concurrent multiplicity of concepts and ideas makes it difficult to think of Balinese abstract art in any other way except purely in terms of individual artists and individual works.
Bali From Beyond
Group Exhibition of Expatriate Artists
At Hanna Art Space, Jl. Raya Pengosekan, Ubud
Tel: 978216
Back in the 1920s and 1930s, Bali was seen as a paradise to international tourists, including many artists, who, escaping from their perceived problems of modern Western life, were attracted to Bali with all of its mythological imagery. After the era of Arie Smitt, Han Snel, and Rudolf Bonnet, who did much to re-direct Balinese art, Bali’s beautiful scenery, unique traditions, and immense spirituality still maintains a considerable lure to inspire expatriate artists. However, where the early expatriates struggled to overlay western ideology onto Balinese art, the new breed of expatriate artists are more content to allow the mysteries of Bali to influence their work, either in the realm of traditional or modern art styles.
The Hanna Art Space’s exhibition ‘Bali From Beyond’ features the work of twenty expatriate artists, from the early pioneers to the ‘brave new Turks’! The artists include: Arie Smitt (Holland), Han Snel (Holland), Rudolf Bonnet (Holland), Marck Jurt (Switzerland), Bruce Sherratt (U.K), Pieter Deiman (Holland), Shan F. Clergue (France), Emilie Sermet (France), Razceljan Salvarita (Philippines), Anja Zwanenburg (Holland) , Skjoldvor Margareta Wiseth (Norway), Patrick Okorokoff (France), Piet Nuyttens (Belgium), Stephan Max Reinhold (Canada), Keiji Ujiie (Japan), Linda Buller (Australia), Micheal Chesney (Canada), Stephen William Barwell (Australia), Tineke Vermeer (Holland) and Paul Moran (U.K).
It is an eclectic show, moving through a wide range of art styles and techniques. Perhaps, of interest, is the small retrospective collection of the works of Arie Smitt, Han Snel, and Rudolf Bonnet. Han Snel’s ‘Secret Corridor’ and Arie Smit’s ‘The Old Temple, The Old Threes’ are excellent examples of these ‘masters’ works. On a personal choice, I found Paul Moran’s detached realism, ‘Sleeping Nude’, Pieter Deiman’s ‘color-field’, ‘Mystical Gorge’, Anja Zwanenburg’s optically patterned, ‘Rice Paddies and Banana Trees’, and Stephan Max Reinhold’s superbly cold piece of hyperrealism, ‘Princes’, most pleasing. However, this is a show which has ‘something for everybody’. The exhibition successfully demonstrates the vibrancy of these expatriate artists, plus, it also reinforces the durability and appeal of the Balinese mystique.
Hyperlinks
Group Exhibition
At Biasa Art Space, Jl. Raya Seminyak 34, Seminyak
Tel: 8475766
Biasa Art Space’s exhibition ‘Hyperlinks’ showcases works from the gallery’s permanent collection. The expression ‘hyperlink’ indicates in digital language computer ‘tools’ which allow access to multi-layered levels of information. Transposed to the art world, the artworks exhibited epitomize projects activated at the meeting point of technological innovation and social relevance.
‘Hyperlinks’ presents a wide range of art practices from graffiti, video, to ready-mades and design assemblages, all of which are inspired by traditional and contemporary Indonesian art forms. The artists exhibiting are: Sara Nuytemans, Arya Pandjalu, Angki Purbandono, Farhan Siki, Samuel Indratma, Zulkarnaini, Yoesoef Olla, Teguh Ostenrik and Abdi Setiawan. All the artists display works which combine popular culture together with ideas concerning social, political, and cultural changes. The pieces ‘Handy’ by Angki Purbandono and ‘Kenal Tidak Kenal’ by Farhan Siki, certainly demonstrate the energy of this particular group of young Indonesian artists.
