Bali's talented young painters finally come into focus

Agus Dermawan T., The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Balinese artists are increasingly becoming the popular focus of exhibitions around the country, particularly in the capital. A new exhibition, Bali Fokus +, at Santi Gallery on Jl. Benda 4 in Kemang, South Jakarta, until Oct. 10, shows the works of seven young Balinese artists, with the added plus of one Minang artist from West Sumatra.

The Balinese artists are I Nyoman Sukari, Made Wiradana, I Putu Sutawijaya, I Made Arya Palguna, I Wayan Danu, I Nengah Sujena and I Made Dyanna, and their Minang friend is Stefan Bwana. All the artists are in their mid-20s to early 30s.

According to the manager of Santi Gallery, Johannis Tanjung, this exhibition is the starting point of all other "Fokus+" events, a concentration on the particular art of one area, with Surabaya Fokus+, Yogya Fokus+ and Minang Fokus+ all planned. The "plus" element means the inclusion of an artist outside those who are the main focus. The idea is interesting because it introduces a competititve element as artists seek to be included in the exhbitions.

This time, however, it is the Balinese painters who are getting the spotlight, as their works have recently shown significant development.

The development of Bali's paintings was marked in the early part of 20th painters with the arrival of foreign painters along with their great influence. Local painters from outside Bali also came in huge numbers in the 1950s. Thus started the touch of modernity to Balinese paintings and its subsequent rapid growth.

After decades of involvement in their local associations, called sekeha, more and more Balinese artists, especially the young generation, entered the era of formal education by joining schools of art in Bali itself, as well as in Yogyakarta, Bandung and Jakarta.

The results of such enthusiasm are clearly seen today. The works of these academic painters soon won the admiration of many, as they were the products of a talented breed with systematic thinking, methodological creations and meticulous techniques in expressing their core philosophy.

This artistic achievement took Balinese art further, as they were no longer viewed as local, or even national products, but were now internationally acclaimed, enhanced by Bali itself a tourism island. The progressive thinking was then formulated by the Balinese painters as stimulation toward globalism, which blossomed in their creations, albeit within the boundaries of specific local comprehension.

The 2000-2001 art statistics indicate the increasing number of young and active Balinese painters, going to prove how many of them are likely to become reputable artists. Among some 100 recognized below-35 painters in Indonesia, two thirds who show quality or some degree of promise come from Bali. From this huge number, a short list of names, focused in this exhibition, are worth mentioning based on factors of creativity, productivity, progressiveness and actuality.

Other names not to be overlooked are already renowned modern painters like Made Wianta, Nyoman Gunarsa and Nyoman Erawan and

Apart from the above factors, they have also acquired important academic recognitions, so that academically an outstanding quality strongly emanates from their creations. But most important to note is the indelible foundation and basic philosophy of their work: the spirit of Bali.

They attempt to act as "local geniuses" in assimilating the turbulent waves of the world with local passion strongly embedded in their hearts. This proves how the Balinese are invariably and consistently attracted to their own Bali.

Another interesting reality is that the richly varied works of these academic Balinese painters have won public admiration, including from observers, critics, collectors and connoisseurs alike. The love of the public is apparently due to the cross- cultural blending of traditional Balinese sentiments with modern or contemporary art. The international public's infatuation of the local atmosphere is represented by the content which continuously puts attention on, adores as well as explores nuances of Balinese scenes, while modernity exudes from the progressive style of the visuals.

The writer is an art observer.