Lot 59

East and West Art Gallery, Melbourne, acquired directly from the artist.

Melbourne, East and West Art Gallery, Nyoman Gunarsa, April 6-30, 2005.

Nyoman Gunarsa (1944-2017) was a seminal figure in the evolution of modern Balinese art, renowned for his dynamic fusion of traditional Balinese themes with expressive modernist techniques. Born in Klungkung, Bali, in 1944, Gunarsa embarked on his artistic journey at the Indonesian Academy of Fine Arts (ASRI) in Yogyakarta, where he later served as a lecturer, influencing generations of artists.

Gunarsa's oeuvre is characterized by vibrant depictions of Balinese dancers, mythological figures, and religious ceremonies, rendered with bold brushstrokes and a vivid colour palette. His work transcends mere representation, capturing the spiritual and cultural essence of Bali through a modernist lens. He often described his creative process as "drawing lines like singing and placing colors like dancing," reflecting his deep connection to the rhythmic and performative aspects of Balinese culture.

Throughout his illustrious career, Gunarsa held numerous solo exhibitions across Indonesia and internationally, including in Malaysia, Australia, the Netherlands, Japan, Singapore, France, Monaco, and the USA. His works have been featured in prestigious institutions such as the British Embassy in Jakarta, Blance Gallery in San Francisco, and Opera-Gallery in Paris.

His contributions to the arts have been recognized with several accolades, including:

Pratisara Affandi Adikarya Award (1976)

Best Work in the Biennial Indonesian Fine Arts Exhibition (1978 & 1980)

Lempad Prize Award (1980)

Silver Medal in the First Biennale of Yogyakarta Painting Arts (1988)

Dharma Kusuma Cultural Award from the Bali Regional Government (1994)

Satyalancana Culture Art Award from the President of the Republic of Indonesia (2003)