bali art paintings

In the "Wuku" series of paintings, Javanese artist Lugiono celebrates traditional wayang characters with the ancient Wuku Balinese lunar calendar. In this painting Lugiono portrays two people, with Kala, from a Balinese legend, holding his hands up in the air. He is a Langkir - a person born during the week of the same name. According to the Wuku calendar, people born during this week are usually temperamental, greedy, uncivilized and stubborn. They are unable to protect the helpless, they like to boast and are therefore disliked by many.

Developed by Bali Aga people, the Wuku lunar calendar includes 210 days divided into 30 weeks or Wuku, varying from one to ten days. Each week has a name and number, which can be auspicious or inauspicious, and corresponds to a specific activity. Each week is believed to also describe types of personality according to birth.

There are different faces for every being, as Balinese artist Kasiyanto shows in his newest painting series. Using acrylic on canvas and a stunning folk art style, Kasiyanto depicts a tender mother and her child, each made of sinuous and intricate shapes in warm orange, brown and green hues to symbolize unconditional love.

The painting arrives signed and unstretched.

There are different faces for every being, as Balinese artist Kasiyanto shows in his newest painting series. Using acrylic on canvas and a captivating folk art style, Kasiyanto depicts a harmonious family made of sinuous and intricate shapes in bold red, purple, green and yellow hues to symbolize filial love.

The painting arrives signed and unstretched.

Bold hues and brushstrokes capture one of the thousand images of the spirit of art. Bali's Anton Papo merges the region's traditions with his talent, creating this stunning expressionist painting of a man. Pencil, ink and acrylic form each line, allowing a unique illusion.

The piece arrives signed and unstretched.

"All humans have strength within," says Bali's Kasiyanto while painting this sublime homage to resilience and perseverance. Inspired by the ancient drawings found in the regional palaces, the artist uses acrylic on canvas to create this captivating folk art composition of intricate beauty, where warm hues and green accents merge in sinuous and bold shapes that imitate human determination.

The piece arrives signed and unstretched.

Sharp and bold figures merge in a magnificent composition by Bali's Kasiyanto. Exuding strength and courage, this acrylic painting inspired by the region's classic arts aims to send a profound message: "Most humans wear masks to cover their shortcomings even though God created humans as the best creatures above other creatures," as the artist says.

The composition arrives signed and unstretched.

Says Balinese artist Mahmud, "Nine arowana fish are led by one super-red alpha male, which is always accompanied by one green female, are about to go hunting. They are known as agile when hunting. Sometimes they gather, but they also split up sometimes. They go here and over there to show their colorful beauty, especially when the sunlight touches their bodies." The artist uses vibrant hues of orange and green to capture the school of freshwater fish as it swims just under the surface of a river.

"In my opinion, information that goes through people's ears needs to be 'filtered,' especially to the young, as it will have a big impact for their future," Odong Junaidi says. Working in oils on canvas, the artist beautifully conveys the concept with this charming portrait. He depicts two smiling boys in sepia tones, as the older covers the ear of the younger one.

Hyang, the supreme spiritual entity of Balinese mythology, enters the bodies of the dancers performing the traditional Sanghyang Dance—a scene depicted by Odong Junaidi in this sublime artwork. Sharp ink lines reunite to form the graceful figure of the performers in the middle of the spectacle, displaying the sublime artistry of this enchanted land with rich culture.

Balinese artist Made Pasek Kusuma Wijay chooses to express his plea for world peace in a painting depicting a woman's prayer. "The state of the world is not fine, given the many wars, conflicts between countries and very heartbreaking human tragedies," says the artist. "Let us pray sincerely that the world situation will return to peace as we strive to live a more simple, carefree life with mutual respect and tolerance between our existing differences. Despite the conditions of the world, we always yearn for peace itself.

"Galloping across a surreal mountain landscape, a team of horses carries forward the hope of an entire society from the lofty reality of the highlands to the life of the commoner below. Riding on the back of a bird resembling the Hindu god of strength, Garuda, a faceless woman prays to the divine spirits, having passed through a period of blood and turbulence. Garuda also prays with his human-like hands as if to encourage himself to continue his mission of vigilance.

"Reflected in the grass of the mountains, the woman's prayers mirror above and below the path of the raptor, symbolizing the transverse support from across the country for her mission. A handshake arises from the woman's mind in a floral accord between two immortal parties.

"In a world plagued by conflict and the horrors of violence, the woman's prayer, the subtle handshake and the impressive flight of the god of strength prescribe peace for all of humanity. Realism cannot deliver this humane desire to reality.

"Scaled to surreal proportions, the woman's prayers make multiple appearances in increasing size, while the mighty bird soars above an entire team of horses, with various hands apparent."

"My definition of world peace is the desire of every human being who decides and chooses to be at peace in their own way. If humans realize we can all choose to make peace by asking God to give us a heart that is peaceful and calm, then there will be no war. My hope for world peace is that all beings can individually create something good and respect each other, and then peace will be established," says Ida Ratna Ningrum.

The artist advocates for harmony and goodwill with her daydream-like painting "Pray for Peace." With idyllic realism, Ida creates a desert landscape symbolic of societal conflicts and scarcity, dominated by a prayerful young woman in a pink dress.

The artist explains that the cat and white rabbit symbolize rebirth and new beginnings, respectively, as they accompany the girl in her quest for peace. Circling above, white doves soar freely, symbolizing the release of a new period of peace under a pure blue sky. Thriving around the young woman, cacti, prickly pears and aloe represent the protection provided by mother nature, even in times of friction. An encouraging reminder of human resilience, the painting calls for a new peaceful era on planet Earth.

"Peace is the desire of every human being around the world," says the artist. "Prayer is a method of expression from a person to God and the universe. A sad girl sees a beautiful world without any feelings of peace, as if there is always war. She prays to God that the world will always be at peace without any war. If the world is free from war, the world will be peaceful, serene, and prosperous."

"Peace can be realized by mutual tolerance and love for one another. This can start from the smallest circle, namely the family. Instill a sense of love and peace from an early age so that in the future there will be mutual respect," artist Ida Bagus Lawa Bargawa confides.

"Peace is always beautiful, always starts with a smile, and any problem can be discussed. Differences are natural and, as long as they don't hurt each other, peace can still be realized. Peace is closely related to mutual tolerance, listening, and understanding, and reducing unnecessary debate is an important key.

"Keep peace and maintain it, because to get it requires a great sacrifice. Peace cannot be maintained by violence, it can only be achieved by understanding peace within ourselves and peace in the world. Peace is a daily, weekly, and monthly process of gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, and quietly building new structures.

"My hope for world peace is that what is an aspiration for the progress of a country will be reflected in the harmonious relations of all countries in this world. For this reason, all countries must be able to help each other stabilize the world's economy. Welfare within a country will have a good impact on the path of world peace."

To illustrate these thoughts and dreams, the artisan brings us a captivating composition made with traditional batik techniques. Crafted in Bali, it is a tribute to peace and unity, depicting joined hands surrounding the world and upholding the peace symbol. Every element adds a message of friendship, love and cooperation.