Impressions of some of Bali’s most important archaeological sites, the 11th century Gunung Kawi temple in Tampaksiring, and the stone reliefs at Yeh Pulu in Bedulu, along with dramatic landscapes depictions from remote East Bali, went on display at the Bali Artists Camp 2016 Exhibition.
Open from April 8 at the Made Budhiana Gallery, Ubud, featuring more than 30 paintings, sketches, and installations by local and foreign artists, the exhibition marks the fifth year of Bali and Eastern Indonesia’s engagement with the Northern Territory of Australia.
An art and cultural engagement initiative that began in 2012, the Bali Artists Camp’s vision evolves around engagement with the landscape, nature and the rich Balinese culture. The event brings together artists from Bali and Indonesia, with their counterparts from Australia, and other foreign countries, to visit inspiring sites throughout Bali, to work on location in a visual art and cross-cultural exchange exercise.
The fruits of the 2016 Artists’ Camp, themed engagement with monumental Bali, produced on separate occasions in May, June, July and September 2016 (collectively a period of seven weeks), will be displayed until May 22. The vibrant collection includes works by renowned Balinese artist Made Budhiana, along with Made Sudibia and Gede Gunada also from Bali, and paintings by Freddy Sitorus, born in South Sulawesi, and East Javanese painter Nanik Suryani.
The foreign artists’ contributions reflect different artistic approaches and backgrounds. Japanese artist Rie Manadala’s offerings are delicate works in ink on paper. Well-known Australian artist Michael Downs’ compositions have both surreal and abstract sensibilities, fellow countryman Ivor Cole prefers to works in oil, in his realism paintings, while Australian Mary Lou Pavlovic’s presentations are forged from an array of media, including timber and plastic, with the addition of paint and other decorative media.
Ivor Cole said of his experience, “the cultural divide between the artists is quickly wiped away. There is no separation, we are here to absorb and translate the best we can through the visual image, the emotional, spiritual state of this place and this time.”
“The Northern Territory – Indonesia relationship has a long history of trade and cultural exchange,” said Michael Gunner, the chief minister of the Northern Territory, who is one of the co-sponsors of the event.
Source & image: thejakartapost
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