Art in Bali

“What is Balinese art?” At first glance, the answer seems obvious. The phrase conjures images of intricate paintings, barong masks, stone temple carvings, or dancers frozen in stylized poses. Yet this apparent clarity is deceptive. The very category of “Balinese art” is not timeless or neutral, but historically shaped, politically constructed, and deeply entangled with the gaze of outsiders. Sida Karya by i Wayan Sudarmayasa Traditionally, creative expression in Bali was inseparable from ritual and community. Art was not an autonomous field but a branch of devotion. Paintings illustrated sacred epics for temple pavilions, masks embodied spirits for performance, and textiles clothed both gods and humans. These objects were rarely signed, often ephemeral, and valued for their spiritual efficacy rather than artistic “innovation.” To call such practices “art” at all is already a translation into Western categories. The notion of “Balinese art” crystallized during the colonial era. In the 1...

[ENG] - Hello Bali Art Guide Community, A few months ago we were contacted by a Belgium group called Muralis , asking us to help spread the word about their upcoming event in Bali. We saw an opportunity for artists in Bali to get some International exposure. So we agreed to share their open calls through our network. Recently we were alerted to the document shared to artists from Muralis with some concerning features. Bali Art Guide is not a part of this project at all but we feel a responsibility to the community here so we would like to translate and clarify some key points that Muralis is suggesting. The document they sent is NOT a contract . This means that there is room for negotiation. Any artwork selected and sent to Belgium is done at the cost to the artist , not Muralis. Packing, shipping and insurance is the responsibility of the artist . If you want your artwork returned to Bali then Muralis can refuse your request If they agree then the artist is responsible for the cost ...