In 2009, Bagus moved to Java to study at the Indonesian Art Institute (ISI), Yogyakarta. From 2009 to 2014, he pursued the Bachelor of Fine Arts and the post-graduate program from 2014 to 2016. Bagus was awarded ‘Best Painting of 2009’ from the Fine Arts faculty at ISI. The university city was bustling with students from across the archipelago, an intersection of Indonesian youth culture. As a fledgling painter thirsty for knowledge and experience, it was exciting to be in Yogyakarta. However, Bagus’ challenge was to break from his cultural programming of collective artistic identity and discover a creative voice distinguishing him within his family and community. Bagus was first exhibited in 2007 in Museum Puri Lukisan, Ubud and since has participated in numerous group shows in Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Jakarta and South Korea. In 2019 he was selected to show in the UOB Painting of the Year exhibition at Museum Nasional, Jakarta.
by Richard Horstman.
A broad, grinning expression immediately draws us to ‘Jero Gede’. To his right, his wife’s face appears to be embellished with a grey beard. A gold and black aura hovers over the couple framed by Chinese and Balinese dragons united as one. Bali’s volcanic skyline, bulbous cloud motifs in pastel tones, water motifs, both reinterpretations of the classical icons, and lotus flowers and leaves describe the background. The couple adorn a fabulously ornamented tunic, painstakingly depicted in a multitude of beautiful colours and motifs.
Review and photo by Richard Horstman
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