Balinese painting is unlike as European pure art but used for religious ceremony of Hindu-Bali as dedication to gods . It has been handed down as one of the traditional arts since 400 years
ago. Balinese painting's origin was brought by Majapait Dynasty in late 16th century when they lost battle against Islamic Dynasty in Java. It has been used as decoration in royal palace under the influence of refined culture.
Main theme is the ancient Indian epic Hindu of "Ramayana"and
"Mahabarata". Balinese painting techniques handed down from those days is called Kamasan
(or Wayan)style,continued to nowadays. Using five colors such as black, white, yellow, blue and brown drawn in plane on textile. Kamasan village is located in the outskirts of the dynasty Klunkun,the
last dynasty of Bali,producing and developing new sensibility with high degree of perfection to this traditional style painting.
Tuning point to the Balinese art painting was encounter to European painting. German musician painter Walter
Spies and Dutch painter Rudolf Bonet were invited to Ubud by Cokorda Sukawati,the Royal Family of the region,under Dutch rule in 1920. They founded the Association of local artists Pita Maha (great
light ) with Nyoman Lempad,Made Nadera and other many local farmer artists.In order to improve painting technique and to introduce fair price trade for the works of local artists.
Raising Balinese art up to the international level was by interacting with European
artists who longed and settled in this tropical island.They created own works and beside gave paint and canvas to the youth of island. Teaching shading method and
assigning perspective everyday life and landscape as theme of painting
works. By this circumstance, Ubud style and Batuan style were born. After World War II, the Dutch
painter Arie Smit arrived Ubud and under his guidance Young Artists style ,theme of rural life and landscapes, was born . In the 1970s, the theme of birds Pengosekan style appeared. Even the theme is different, each style of paintings are used unique traditional techniques
inherited from ancient times.
Currently the young creative painters of Bali have been working with great energy
and its capital of art Ubud,a small village located central of Bali, offers a lot of Art Museums is
not usual. Each museum has collection from classical works to contemporary art works , held exhibitions of local artists committed to develop and protect the traditional art painting style. At the same time attracting eyes of foreign visitors as well. Many Galleries and shops displaying mass quantity of so called Balinese painting,are mixed up with boulder of artist's mass-produced paintings to masterpiece of local artist. The price is called as the seven wonders of Bali.
In 2006 summer, " Balinese traditional painting
auction "was held at the Maya Ubud Resort in Ubud , as the first time auction of traditional art painting in Bali. Ending with
great success by displaying many great traditional artist's works which attracted collectors from around the world looking for rare pieces.Commemorate 200 years of Balinese art history,directories were introduced
more than 300 traditional Balinese painting famous artists BALI BRAVO was published. Considering economic decline after the Bali bombings and worried about
the rise of abstract art-oriented business boom in recent years, revive
traditional Balinese paintings is to foster its successor is most important cultural event.
Recommended Books related to Balinese painting:
【BALI BRAVO】
【REFLECTIONS OF FAITH】
【Master of Balinese art BUDIANA】
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Kamasan style (Wayan style)
Kamasan is the name of village located south-east of Bali Klunkun, technique is
transmitted to this village. The oldest painting techniqueof Balinese history was developed as a decoration of palaces, the ancient Indian epic "Ramayana" "Mahabarata"was
the main myths theme. In old days, textile canvas with rice flour, to paint soot, ash, clay,
plants were used. People were drawn from the diagonal features like shadow. --->> Kamasan Style Gallery |
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Batuan style
In 1930s occurred in Batuan village,it looks miniature painting on ink drawing, formed by the fusion of modern European painting and Kamasan style technique.
Chinese ink and brush painted on a paper or cloth.Drawn Hindu myths and
daily life of village,rural communities,screen with no gaps.Looking diagonally from top to down on the ground with their own interpretation
of the perspective of European artists.
--->> Batuan Style Gallery |
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Ubud style
This new style was born year1930s in Ubud.Under the guidance of Rudolf Bonet,Dutch painter,breakthrough drawing techniques was introduced. Perspective and light shading with incorporating color and diversification.Features vividly depicted the lives of the villagers.it became known Balinese paintings in the world.
--->> Ubud Style Gallery |
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Pengosekan style (Flora and Fauna)
technique was established by artists with a focus on Batuan Brothers in
Pengosekan in 1970s. Japanese painting flowers and birds note to feel the artistic style of
this painting.Drawn in a unique finishing techniques to design carefully
overlaid color shaded with bamboo brushes. Viewing was like a folding screen combine several plates. ( Note: Tang and Song Dynasty established in China, law was
the theme of natural scenery introduced into Japan in the Muromachi
period)
--->> Pengosekan style Gallery |
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Young Artists style
Born in Penestanan village in 1950s.By Dutch painter Arie Smit,founded
painting school for village youth as art industry to help their life. Also
known as Impressionism features with light and bright colors filled the entire
screen. Drawn without a clear sense of the shade with bright colors, in favor of the rural landscape and traditions of Bali. --->> Young Artist Style
Gallery
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Lempad Style
Used for ritual or votive in ceremony, traditional style paintings in soft
flowing black and white line drawings. Found by German painter Walter Spies legendary, is so called from the name
of the maestro Nyoman Lempad the first man started drawing the painting in frame.
--->> Lempad Style |
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Spies Style
(Tropical fantasy painting) Painting technique incorporate by Walter Spies,German artist, Surrealism
style painting is combines with vertical,aerial,space time perspective
by European painting techniques.At the beginning,drawn the shape with shadow by black and white only. Divided into process to color and shade.Techniques devised by the amazing
scientific rationality.
--->> Spies Style
Gallery |
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