The 7 Types of Gallery in Bali.
And Why Most Visitors Never Find the Real One
By Gede AustanaIn Bali the word “Gallery” is one of the most commonly used English words for a business but can also be very misleading depending on what you're looking for. As a word describing a room/space used to showcase something then yes, it is accurate…to a degree. But if you're an art lover looking for actual art then it can be hugely frustrating as and a disappointment to your Bali experience.
I have travelled the island to understand the art ecosystem and as a result, this is how I have come to categorize the many types of galleries that exist here. There have been days when I have spent 6-8hrs travelling in the tropical sun using Google maps as my guide and if I’m lucky then I have a 20% success rate. This success is not in finding art, it’s just finding an open, accurately placed location which operates with some kind of art in mind. Obviously, this is not ideal for visitors with time restraints.
Over time I will share more of my insight but lets start with this basic designation of the word “Gallery” in Bali. I would also like to clarify one more point. I have not been paid to do this so all of this is honest and without incentive other than a wish to help share and define the real art experiences of Bali.
The “Non-Art” gallery
As mentioned before, the word “gallery” is quite a common part of business names here and more often than not it isn’t assigned to what you expect. Many businesses have adopted this word, maybe to “piggy back” on the up-market perception of “art” or maybe to give a fancy name to what is ultimately a showroom. For this reason, businesses such as furniture stores, gardening supplies or even kitchen supplies will put “gallery” in their name, creating confusion in the process. Some of these actually have some beautifully artistic pieces but if you're not looking for a stone fountain or a wood chopping board, you're probably going to be disappointed.The “Souvenir” or “Art Shop” Gallery
Walk down any tourist street or travel between tourist hotspots and you’ll almost definitely pass by an “art shop” or five, filled with brightly painted canvases over-flowing onto the pavement. Here you’ll find colourful paintings of smiling chimpanzees, nubian heads and a whole bunch of popular artsy stereotypes from ceiling to floor and stacked 20 deep. |
| Your average Art Shop |
Often named as “gallery”, these shops are the most visible as you travel around but you’ll soon find that each is filled with the same art from the same underpaid artists, store to store. These are little more than souvenirs for visitors who to remember their trip. Unfortunately, these paintings are usually treated with less respect than worn shoes, because when the rain comes, at least the shoes are brought inside. Most of these places operate in this overcrowded way but some are hidden as more respectable establishments in fancy buildings which your friendly driver might bring you to. It would be easy to assume you have arrived at a proper gallery then but trust me, you haven't.
Obviously I don't have a lot of respect for these places. Not because of the efforts of the artists but because of the way the businesses treat the art and the artists. I’ve personally heard accounts of drivers earning commissions several times higher than the artist who created the work. Even if only partially true, the imbalance being described is difficult to ignore. Unacceptable and avoid if you're an art lover.The “Curated Retail” or “Decorative” Gallery
The Curated-Retail or Decorative galleries are the businesses who actually have a selection process around uniqueness, skill and to a limited degree, vision. You can walk into one of these locations and find some truly unique artworks which will speak to you and look great in your living room at the same time. Most online searches for art in Bali will direct you to these places with inclusions in “Top 10” blog entries and articles praising them. |
| Felize Eye in Seminyak |
Unfortunately, if you're looking for the “exhibition” experience then these are not the galleries for you. These are ultimately retail businesses with inventory. A few do a very good job of representing their artists with documentation and back stories but also seem to operate in a closed system away from the actual art scene in Bali.
The “Artspace” Gallery
The core of the Bali art scene is the Artspace, sometimes also named as galleries (while still operating as artspaces). |
| TAT Artspace - Denpasar |
What is the difference?
In Bali, Artspaces are basically galleries for rent, which means this is where the real art scene of Bali starts to operate. Almost the entirety of Bali’s Art activity is artist lead, which means the artists initiate their own exhibitions whether as solo or group exhibitions. These spaces may be dedicated locations, hotel lobbies or a variety of other multi-function places but they all share the same attributes. They are available for rent and most have walls for hanging art. A few have a degree of curation applied but ultimately they are open to all willing and able to exhibit. This doesn't mean curation is absent. Many organisers will consult with established curators, writers and academics to help verify and quantify what is being exhibited.When looking for art with investment potential and longevity, this is your real starting point.
The “Artist” Studio/Gallery
Bali is not a place that's easy for artists to have their own “gallery” so when you come across one, pay attention. |
| "The House of Portraits" by Bebet |
Usually these publicly accessible studios/galleries are the domain of the most successful artists that Bali has to offer. Artists who have been producing for decades and accumulated enough to make their own space. Some of them will allow other artists to come and exhibit there, as a way of supporting and contributing to the art scene in Bali.
Beware though, many other gallery/business types will also bear the name of the founder/business owner but operate within the retail sphere of the art environment. You really need an insider to tell you which is which so I guess this is where I come in.The “Fine Art” Gallery
My use of this term “fine art gallery” is given to what most art lovers would consider a true art gallery. An art business that represents a selective stable of artists who release new artworks curated in batches over time. These galleries hold exhibition events, actively promote their artists, participate in art shows and most importantly maintain a list of buyers and collectors. This type of gallery is probably the rarest in Bali with only a very few that can claim this title. |
| Santrian Gallery - Sanur |
These galleries can be counted on a single hand and can usually only be accessed by appointment only.
The “Museum” Gallery
At the top of the art prestige pyramid in Bali sits the Museum Galleries. For an artist to be included in a museum's permanent collection in Bali is the highest of honours within the island and there are still a handful of living artists that can claim that distinction. Obviously these artworks are not for sale but a few of these museums also house artspaces which are available for regular exhibitions. Having an exhibition in these spaces can be a great honour too. |
| Museum Puri Lukisan - Ubud |
These spaces tend to be restricted to particular aspects of the art community in Bali, from traditional preservers to cross-cultural events.
Summary
So it can be seen that in Bali, a gallery is not always what you expect to find and operates in ways that seem weird to outsiders. The truth of the art scene in Bali is as unusual and unpredictable as the rest of the island but there is a truth that is not openly known.Based on my own independently maintained exhibition records for 2025, I recorded over 200 art exhibitions, just paintings and drawings, not including music, dance and performance events. Approximately 97% of which were artist-led in functional Artspaces. Individual artists and collectives giving all their effort and resources to make it happen for themselves. No representation from galleries or support from either government or corporate sectors. That averages to 4 new exhibitions every week of the year, all done with no budget and maximum passion and bravery. I am unaware of any other place on earth that can say the same.
And despite these 7 gallery types listed, it is only the “Artspaces”, “Fine Art” galleries, “Artist Studios” and “Museum” Galleries that are involved or engaged with the artists and art community of Bali. This is the true art world in Bali which is overlooked by most visitors who don’t seem to make it past the bars & clubs let alone the “art shops” or “retail” galleries.
Through the efforts of Bali Art Guide (Baliartguide.com) I have made these real art places available for the world to access on the curated Bali Art Guide Google Map and the Exclusive Bali Art Guide Downloadable Map so the artistic paradise that is Bali can finally be rediscovered.Tips to find the right Art Gallery for you.
- If you are looking for something cheap and good but with no emotional attachment, then by all means walk into a souvenir art shop. Some you can haggle and some are fixed at affordable prices but remember, the artist was paid just enough to put rice in their belly for the day and not much else. If you want to avoid these places entirely then you can choose literally any place on the Bali Art Guide Map as these “Souvenir” galleries are not listed and will never be.
- If you're looking for a quality artwork to decorate your life a little and feel comfortable knowing the artist has been compensated properly then go to one of the “Curated-Retail” galleries listed on the Bali Art Guide Map.
- If you want to experience the authentic artistic emotion, dedication and spirituality of the Bali Art Scene then go to the Bali Art Guide Calendar and pick the exhibition at an Artspace closest or most convenient to you. Art happens right across the island and not just in Ubud so you're guaranteed to find something.
- If you are specific about your tastes or feel like exploring options, then browse Bali Art Guide Artist Profiles.
- If you want a professionally guided experience then your options are quite limited. Unlike the hotels and mainstream tourism hotspots, English and other languages are not widely spoken in the art community. Maybe we can help with that.
- And finally, If your interest is history, culture and tradition then Museums are always a safe bet. A full list of verified museums can be found on our Galleries page.
- The museums in Bali tend to focus on traditional Balinese and other historic art styles and practices. But in Bali, the traditional art styles are still alive and you can still go into the areas famous for their styles such as Batuan, Keliki or Kemasan. Places like Batuan are “Living Museums” with documented art legacies going back a thousand years and programs of continuation implemented to keep it going for as long as possible.