Kiswara channels supernatural elements into his paintings<\/p>\n
or<\/p>\n
Kiswara, a follower of god Shiva, puts a magical touch into his
\nwork<\/p>\n
================
\nAlpha Savitri
\nContributor
\nDenpasar, Bali
\n----------------<\/p>\n
Every painter has his own special mark reflecting their source
\nof inspiration.<\/p>\n
For Balinese artist Kiswara, his works reflect his spiritual
\nbelief, a metaphysical touch that can be found not only in the
\nthemes of his works, but also in his extraordinary brushwork.<\/p>\n
His paintings, on display alongside the works of other six
\npainters at an ongoing exhibition at the Nikko Bali Resort and
\nSpa here, are totally filled with magical nuances.<\/p>\n
Although Kiwara received no formal training, he seems
\nproficient in mastering his brush, mixing colors to create
\nsupernatural or mystical objects out of his imagination.<\/p>\n
The rare talent of the painter was discovered several months
\nago by I Made Yudia Putra, an organizer of painting exhibitions.<\/p>\n
At first it was difficult to persuade him to take part in an
\nexhibition as Kiswara considers his paintings the result of a
\nsupernatural force and he had to ask god Shiva's permission
\nbefore participating in such an exhibition. But finally, Kiswara
\nsaid, god Shiva granted him his request.<\/p>\n
For Kiswara, his paintings are the manifestation of his dreams
\nin reality.<\/p>\n
The artist claims he is often visited by spirits -- followers
\nof god Shiva or even god Shiva himself -- who takes him to fly
\nand fight enemies before returning victorious. Sometimes he is
\ntaken by him to watch tabuh rah, cockfighting at a temple.<\/p>\n
When he wakes up, he puts his dream on to the canvas,
\nfollowing supernatural voices that urge him to immediately paint
\nwhat he has seen in the dreams. The result can be seen in his
\nworks, such as Topeng Sidakarya I, Topeng Sidakarya II (The Mask
\nof Sidakarya I and II), Tabuh Rah, 3 Bidadari (Three Angels),
\nwhich are all imbued with symbols of god Shiva, whom he worships.<\/p>\n
Kiswara has been fond of painting since childhood and was
\ntaught by the late painter, Antonio Blanco.<\/p>\n
However, until around a year ago, he had never been seriously
\ninvolved in painting.<\/p>\n
He explained that it was the hand of god that assisted him in
\nselecting and mixing the colors, dark gradations and somber
\ncolors and the rendering of magical objects.<\/p>\n
"When I pour out what I see in my dreams, I feel the presence
\nof god watching and helping me in my work," said the father of
\ntwo who prepares offerings before starting to paint.<\/p>\n
In his daily life, Kiswara is widely known as a rangda (symbol
\nof evil power) dancer in the temple in his hometown in Jembrana
\nregency in Bali.<\/p>\n
In Bali, not everyone can become a rangda dancer at the
\ntemple. The selection is done through a spiritual process.<\/p>\n
When Kiswara, born on Jan. 21, 1965, was still in senior high
\nschool, the temple priest, possessed by a supernatural power,
\nappointed him as the dancer. Hence he was officially appointed as
\nthe follower of god Shiva, something he had never imagined
\nbefore.<\/p>\n
His mastery of dance is visible in Topeng Sidakarya, which is
\nfilled with symbols of god Shiva. To Balinese Hindus, Topeng
\nSidakarya is a performance filled with religious significance and
\nis always performed to complete five important ceremonies
\n(Pancayadnya) in Bali: Dewayadnya, Pitrayadnya, Manusayadnya,
\nResiyadnya and Butayadnya.<\/p>\n
The unique thing is, whenever he is asked to perform the
\ndance, unknowing a desire to paint emerges from within him.
\nTherefore, Kiswara always brings along his brushes and paint. And
\nduring the show, he paints as well, sometimes not aware of what
\nhe is doing as he is in trance. When he becomes conscious, the
\npainting, although still unfinished, stands in front of him.
\nLater, Kiswara only has to apply some finishing touches to it.<\/p>\n
This phenomenon might be hard to comprehend. But in Bali,
\nthere's a belief that some artists are endowed with taksu, a gift
\nfrom God. Famous artists are known to make use of taksu so that
\ntheir work is admired.<\/p>\n
Kiswara and six other painters are exhibiting their works at
\nNikko Bali, Resort and Spa until Oct. 31.<\/p>",
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