Get to Know! Balinese Paintings

What are they?:
Balinese art is a vital component of the island's culture, reflecting its rich historical and cultural heritage. Recognized as the art hub of Indonesia, Bali boasts renowned regions such as Ubud and Batuan for paintings, Mas for woodcarvings, Celuk for gold and silver, and Batubulan for stone carvings. The art is characterized as a developed yet informal Baroque folk style, merging peasant vibrancy with Hindu classical refinement, infused with a unique tropical exuberance. 

History:
Balinese art, also referred to as Hindu-Javanese art, has its roots in early A.D. times, influenced by Hindu-Buddhist culture from India alongside Chinese culture. In the 14th century, the Majapahit empire brought Javanese culture to Bali, which was blended with local customs instead of being wholly adopted, leading to the distinctive Hindu-Javanese art style. Notable from this era is the Kamasan painting, which depicts Hindu-Javanese epics like the Mahabharata. Initially, Balinese art was religious, with artists lacking autonomy or credit, as priests and elites controlled the creation and display of artworks. 

With the rise of Islam in the 16th century, Bali preserved its Hindu-Javanese identity, supported by Hindu nobles and artists who migrated to the island to bolster local culture against external influences. The 19th century saw the arrival of Western artists, prompting a shift in local art towards modern styles, fostering an environment for self-expression and originality that had previously been restricted. This led to a diverse range of original artworks depicting everyday life in Bali, marking a transition towards modernity while still honoring traditional cultural elements. 

Meanings: 
Balinese art is primarily represented by painting and wood carving, with painting being the more significant form. The island has attracted numerous local and international painters, evolving from wall paintings in temples to the celebrated Balinese paintings seen today, particularly in the towns of Ubud, Sanur, and Butuan, each showcasing unique styles. Numerous galleries exhibit works from the burgeoning local art scene, while historical pieces, such as a 15th-century lotus painting of Ganesha preserved at Pura Besakih, can be found in temples and museums worldwide. 





References 


Anggakara, B. B. (2020, April 24). Balinese Art: Learning More About Bali’s Cultural Heritage. Indonesia Design. https://indonesiadesign.com/story/balinese-art-learning-more-about-balis-cultural-heritage 

Painting. Bali Culture Workshop. (2018a, May 20). https://balicultureworkshop.com/artwork/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Traditional Art is Dying, and No One Seems to Care

Traditional art is dying, and no one seems to care. Not only is that statement the title of this essay, but also a fact. Well, almost a fact. Since the dawn of time, humanity has continued to thrive and prosper from its generational accomplishments, building monumental civilizations that will be the very basis of modern societal structures, unraveling the most complicated discoveries and solving them for the benefit of this world, and introducing some of history’s best leaders that have led societies into the top of their game. And one of humanity’s greatest achievements to ever grace the Earth is the founding of art. Art has always served as a means of historical documentation, communication, and most notably, self-expression. However, as of recent, there has been an evident lack of interest in the traditional arts within modern society due to a plethora of unfortunate reasons. Subsequently, it risks the total extinction of traditional art, as more and more people ignore it whilst the...
Read more

How does the digitalization of art contribute to the preservation of lost art, and what are its limitations?

It’s a known fact that artworks are prone to deteriorate over time. When a piece of art finally decays, there is no guarantee that that artwork has any records of it existing. It becomes lost . It wasn’t until the creation of the camera that people discovered digitalization. Digitalization entails the photography of a work, which eventually led to the digitalization of art. It is through this development of art digitalization that has provided much help in art conservation and preserving lost art that is on the brink of extinction. Art conservation is the discipline that preserves cultural heritage, artworks, and objects from history. It’s an incredibly crucial role in remembering humanity’s ancestry, since it guarantees the safety and durability of these cultural arts, all while being able to uphold the piece’s original details down to the tiniest brush stroke. The process undergoes examination, documentation, and treatment to be properly preserved, but can be tedious and time-consu...
Read more

Wayang: Indonesia’s Puppets

Image
Puppets. Objects that often resemble a human, animal, or mythical creature, animated by a puppeteer. Puppetry is the ancient form of theater or performance involving said puppets. Puppetry has existed in a variety of cultures for a long time. There has been some debate as to when and where the first puppet came to be. But most people agree that puppets have existed as early as the 5th century B.C. back in Ancient Greece. Today there are many famous puppets known across the globe, such as Kermit the Frog and the Marionette from FNAF. Everyone knows at least one puppet. But I think a certain form of puppetry should be recognized even more. That is the WAYANG . Wayangs are important to Indonesian culture because it connects its people to their history and identity. It’s an interesting craft that has helped bring compelling stories to people worldwide. ORIGINS: Originating from Java, one of Indonesia’s islands, wayang is a traditional form of puppet play. It’s said that the art of sh...
Read more