I Nyoman Wirata mixes poems and paintings

I Nyoman Wirata mixes poems and paintings

Tri Vivi Suryani, Contributor, Denpasar

Starting from a line and a word, artist I Nyoman Wirata created
numerous poems and paintings, all portraying social injustice,
poverty and oppression of the underprivileged.

Wirata, a junior high school teacher, plunged into the
Balinese arts world in the middle of the 1970s and is now among
the island's most respected painters and writers.

Born in Banjar Titih, Denpasar, little Wirata was already
familiar with paint and canvasses. His father, I Made Dratha, is
a famous traditional painter, dancer, sculptor and literary
figure.

"It was my dream to study at a fine arts school, but my father
did not support me," Wirata said.

His father told him that being an artist was not profession.
"It was just a social obligation. It could not guarantee a good
and prosperous life especially for a young man like me," said
Wirata.

But, Wirata did not give up. He insisted on pursuing his arts
education. He promised his parents that arts was in his blood and
studying arts was his long-time dream. His parents finally
allowed him to enroll at the school.

Unfortunately, Wirata could not continue his arts education at
a higher arts institution as his beloved father contracted
cancer. Wirata had to quit school and start his career as an
amateur painter and a writer.

"At that time, I was very confused and uncertain. When I
worked on my canvas, my mind roamed words after words creating
lines of poems," recalled Wirata.

In later years, Wirata let his wildest dreams of combining
painting and poems channeled through his sketches, drawings and
paintings.

Most of Wirata's works are minimalist in terms of color and
form. He emphasizes black and white colors to create spiritual
beauty and power. The colors also reflect his gloomy childhood
period and his own strength to survive.

"I was always mesmerized when viewing Balinese traditional
paintings of the old Batuan style. The black and white colors
that dominate most of the Batuan paintings became the central
power which exposed their magical power," commented Wirata.

He said the black and white colors created a sense or
brightness and darkness, a world of contrast.

During his exhibition at the Paros Gallery, which ends on July
9, Wirata is displaying 33 works, all of which have poetic
titles.

Among Wirata's best works are Yang Terluka (The Wounded,
2001), Meditasi Luka (The Wounded Meditation, 1997), Cahaya Dari
Atas Bukit (Rays from Above the Hill, l999), Buddha, Bulan dan
Ikan Itu (The Buddha, Moon and That Fish, l997).

The title of the exhibition, Silaturahmi Garis and Kata
(Mixture of Lines and Words), expresses his ongoing search for
life.

"I am trying hard to harmoniously combine lines as elements of
fine arts and words as literary elements into a unity. We have to
unite diverse cultural, religious and social backgrounds to
create a beautiful life," said Wirata.