Artist Made Wianta holds retrospective display

Artist Made Wianta holds retrospective display

UBUD, Bali (JP): Having been involved in the local art scene
for more than 30 years, renowned Balinese artist Made Wianta
feels the urge to display some of his creative art works in a
special exhibition called Retrospective 1970-2000.

In this exhibition, displayed in three places until the middle
of February, Museum Rudana in Ubud, Genta Fine Art Gallery and
GRP Gallery in Ubud, Wianta is displaying 200 paintings from the
period between 1970 and 2000.

Born in Apuan Village in Tabanan, Wianta graduated from the
ASRI Yogyakarta Arts Institute in l974. Wianta is one of Bali's
young artists who, at that time, was brave enough to leave
classical Balinese painting styles and adopt abstract genre.

Most of Wianta's works are characterized by abstract symbols
and forms. However, the artist's creations are imbued with a very
Balinese spiritual quality packaged in contemporary art form.

Along with Nyoman Gunarsa, Wianta, 51, is considered the
pioneer of Balinese contemporary art whose works have influenced
younger artists like Nyoman Erawan, Wayan Sika, Nyoman Erawan,
Budiana and many others.

Presently, Wianta's works are among the most sought-after
paintings among local collectors.

In Jean Couteau's book entitled Art and Power, the writer
tells how Wianta's paintings are now collected by art lovers in
Thailand, Japan, Australia, Germany, Luxembourg, France, and
Belgium.

Wianta is known for his versatility. In addition to his
abstract painting, he has created various installation arts
including Happening Art, Art and Peace.

He also wrote an anthology of his poems published by Bentang
Budaya foundation a few years ago.

Aside from his artistic endeavors, Wianta is also known as
being social-minded. He often raises funds to support welfare
projects including anti-AIDS campaigns.

In l993, he donated 25 paintings to be auctioned in California
to help support an anti-AIDS program. (raw)