Balinese artists honored for contributions to culture

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Noted painter I Nyoman Gunarsa was among four Balinese artists and cultural prime movers who received awards from President Megawati Soekarnoputri for their contribution to the development of national culture.

State Minister for Cultural and Tourism Affairs I Gde Ardika conferred the Satya Lencana medals on Friday to Gunarsa and cultural figure Anak Agung Made Jelantik and posthumously to scholar I Gusti Ngurah Bagus and I Gede Manik, a traditional musician and dancer.

The awards were presented in a ceremony at Bali's Wisma Sabha hall in the compound of the gubernatorial office, attended by Governor Dewa Beratha and the provincial legislature speaker Ida Bagus Wesnawa, Antara reported.

Ardika said the four were feted for their dedication and persistent effort to preserve Balinese art and culture and the national culture in general.

He said cultural development and preservation played a pivotal role in striving for national unity and civilization.

Noted painter Gunarsa said the award would motivate him to tap into his talent further and improve his creativity.

"The award is not the peak of my career and will not prompt me to slow down," Gunarsa said after receiving the medal.

The 44-year-old painter had earlier received the Dharma Kusuma award, the highest award for art and culture given by the Bali administration.

Gunarsa, a former lecturer at the Indonesian Art Institute in Yogyakarta, collects Balinese classic paintings in his museum in Klungkung, some 45 kilometers east of Denpasar.

He made his international reputation through a number of exhibitions across the globe, which have been regarded as successful.

Observers hailed Gunarsa for his prowess in exploiting colors and symbols to reflect beauty and peace in his paintings.