Southeast Asia Travel Journal

The city of Ubud in the mountains of central Bali has long been known as the cultural heart of the island of the gods. It’s only natural then, that there are several art museums around town where you can get your fill of the rich artistic heritage of this unique culture. Here’s a run-down of the four main art houses around Ubud:

Museum Puri Lukisan

Ubud’s oldest museum was founded in 1956 by an artists cooperative that included the King of Ubud along with two of the westerners that helped revive the artistic traditions of Bali: Water Spies and Rudolf Bonnet. The museum collection includes works by many artists, although pride of place belongs to I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, whose long career made him one of the most important Balinese artists of the post-war period.

Puri Lukisan is the closest museum to the center of Ubud. It’s just a short walk from the palace, and also offers several experiential programs where you can try your had at making shadow puppets, playing in the gamelan or making batik.

Neka Museum

The Neka Museum is perhaps the largest of the Ubud museums, with a wide ranging collection that includes photography and a huge display of keris (ceremonial daggers) as well as paintings. All of the well-known Balinese artists are represented, along with most of the significant western artists who came to Bali in the 1930s. There’s a special pavilion devoted to the Dutch artist Arie Smit.

Blanco Renaissance Museum

The Blanco Museum is the only one of the places listed here that is dedicated to the work of a single artist. Don Antonio Blanco arrived in Bali in 1952, where the King of Ubud granted him a plot of land above the river. The artist passed away in 1999, but his family continues to live and work in the compound, which in addition to the artwork has a collection of birds as well.

The museum buildings are somewhat bold and fantastical, blending classical European and Balinese details. They reminded me a bit of the Salvador Dali museum in Figueres, Spain although the Blanco Museum is not nearly as over-the-top as the Dali museum.

Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA)

ARMA is a bit unusual in that it operates a resort as well as the museum. It also styles itself as a center for the visual and performing arts, with regular performances of Balinese dance. It’s also the only major museum with a significant collection of modern art as well as the traditional paintings by Balinese artists.

Posted by michael under Around the Web
Tags: Bali • Museum • Ubud
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