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Pita Maha



Pita Maha was a Balinese artist association founded on 29 January 1936 in Ubud, Bali. The name “Pita Maha” itself comes from the Kawi language, meaning “Grand Ancestors”. 

This association played an important role in the development of Balinese painting, especially in introducing different styles and movements of Balinese Painting. Pita Maha was initiated by several important figures including Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati, I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, Walter Spies, and Rudolf Bonnet. They all had remarkable lives and work, but their stories remain largely unknown to the public. 

The establishment of Pita Maha was driven by several reasons, including: preserving and developing Balinese painting, creating a distinctive identity for Balinese Painting, and bridging the gap between Balinese artists and the outside world. 

Now Pita Maha is no longer as active as it used to be. It’s because after world war II, Bali experienced significant political and social change, affecting artistic activities including Pita Maha. Many founding members of Pita Maha have passed away with subsequent generations not formally continuing the organization. 

Since then however, Balinese art has continued to evolve and change.




Pita Maha merupakan sebuah asosiasi seniman bali yang berdiri pada 29 januari 1936 di Ubud,Bali. Nama “Pita Maha” sendiri berasal dari bahasa Kawi yang berarti “Leluhur yang Agung”. Organisasi ini memiliki peran penting dalam perkembangan seni lukis di Bali. Pita Maha dimulai oleh beberapa tokoh penting antara lain Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati, I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, Walter Spies, dan Rudolf Bonnet. Karya-karya beliau sangatlah luar biasa, namun tak banyak juga orang yang mengenal kisah mereka. Alasan didirikannya organisasi ini adalah untuk melestarikan dan mengembangkan seni lukis Bali, menciptakan identitas khas seni lukis Bali, dan menjembatani kesenjangan antara seniman Bali dengan dunia luar. Namun kini Pita maha tidak seaktif dulu. Hal ini dikarenakan oleh beberapa sebab yaitu, setelah perang dunia II, Bali mengalami perubahan politik dan sosial yang cukup signifikan, sehingga mempengaruhi kegiatan kesenian termasuk Pita Maha. Lalu banyak anggota pendiri Pita Maha yang sudah meninggal dunia, dan generasi selanjutnya tidak melanjutkan organisasi formal dan juga kesenian Bali yang terus berevolusi dan berubah, membuat organisasi seperti Pita Maha.




Reference :
https://www.art-from-bali.com/list_kunstenaars_eng_pita_maha.aspx
https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/03/31/romantic-agony-soul-pita-maha.html
https://www.atlantis-press.com/proceedings/iclaac-22/125978253



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