- Full Name
- Dewi Dian Reich
- Pen Name
- Dian Sawidji
- Photograph by
- ManButur Sawidji
- Link to Photograph
- https://sawidjistudio.com/about-us-sawidji-studio/
- Website for biography
- Place
- Sawidji Gallery
- Related Music
- Related Books
- A Trees Offering, Reflections of a Mask Maker
- Another Gutenberg Effect
- Awaiting Hanuman
- Contemplations at Mengening Temple
- Dancing Memories of Wayang Wong
- Finding July in September
- Listen to the Signs, Cultivating Inclusivity
- Lontar Our Ancient Books
- More Than a Likeness
- Perang Pandan, Another War Entirely
- Ratu Gede Mas Mecaling, Krisna and Komokwa the Undersea God
- Red Chair and the White Room
- Rembug: The Checkered Cloth
- Sameantiga Temple
- Sangeh, a Forest Memory
- Tale Feathers! The Bali Myna
- The Art of Lawar with Wayan Konco
- The Subtleties of Topeng Keras
- Think Portraiture
- Topeng Babad Today
- Related Scholars Articles
Biography
In English
Dewi Dian Reich was born in Australia of mixed Indonesian and European parentage. Dewi has a deep love for Nature, art, history and the traditions in her Indonesian heritage. She has called Bali her home for nearly 20 years. Dian is a graduate of the Australian National Art School in Fine Arts majoring in Photography and painting disciplines with emphasis on art history and theory. Undertook post graduate studies in Digital Media, Linguistics and Asian Studies.
Dian is focused on the ongoing development of Sawidji Gallery and studio. The economic changes brought about by the Covid Pandemic to Bali was a catalyst. There was already a need to reassess the conditions affecting the integrity of Fine Art in Bali. Which is never separate from the intricacies of the culture itself. Sawidji may explore these themes. However, it simply wishes to celebrate the talents, the community and the Nature that we are fortunate to be a part of.In Balinese
In Indonesian
Examples of work
A Forest Memory, the Power of Memory and the Secrets of a Sacred Forest
Memory is mysterious. Memory can hold such power over us over a lifetime. It can be strong and clear or hazy and weak. Whether we see Memory or not, it is there, taking residence in the back of our minds. Shaping our perceptions, our actions and choices. Memory shapes us from very early on. This recording of our experiences. The stories that get replayed in our minds that tells us who we are. Where we come from and perhaps where we belong.
The story goes, that the royal couple were deeply in love but after many years had not been blessed with children. In need of a successor, the King went to Mount Batur to meditate and seek guidance. As he meditated there he met and took as his second wife the Dewi Danu. The daughter of the Goddess of Lake Batur. It is after this second marriage that conflict continued to haunt the family of the King Jayapangus. In summary, The Goddess of the Lake, angry to see her daughter hurt and betrayed. Because of this She destroyed King Jayapangus and his first wife Kang Cing Wie.
Read related articles at www.sawidji.com
The White Wood of Bayan (Pohon Kayu Putih Bayan) is an ancient tree. One of the many ancient trees that is on Sacred ground and is in itself part of a Temple, Pura Babakan. Being hundreds of years old, it certainly did not appear suddenly out of nowhere. However, it has begun to attract far more attention in these recent months. Perhaps due to the growing awareness on social media, there are certainly more visitors there in the past year.
The Beauty of the White Wood of Bayan, these photographs centre on the presence of its Temple. That when we look upon this Tree, it is not separate from looking upon that which is Sacred.
https://sawidji.com/2022/12/13/kala-and-the-guardians-a-timely-reflection/
Kala is known to come with many definitions. Among these are time, death, performing arts, and specific deities in Hinduism, Javanese and Balinese mythologies. Yet, despite the many origin stories, there is a connecting thread that Kala is all of those manifestations. However, in this Collaboration, Kala is our canvas. Here Kala is defined specifically through her manifestation as TIME.
Kala is experienced through the conceptual portraits of the two Guardians representing our Earthly World and our Spiritual World. The portraits of the Guardians of Earth and Spirit were created through a combination of installations and the photography of Dewi Dian and ManButur Suantara. The paintings of Nyoman Handi respond to the questions and reflections raised by the Guardian portraits.
Dewi Dian Reich Fine Art Giclee Print 60cm x 100cm
Cappucino and Croissants is part of a series that take Topeng Tua across different social and urban landscapes. There are references here to traditional identity, suggested tones of displacement and estrangement. The layers of meaning we can unravel here to reflect upon is truly open ended. You may even find humor here.
Reflecting on the nature of Time and our relationship to Earth and Spirit through a conceptual mixed media narrative. A collaborative exhibition with the works of Dewi Dian, ManButur Suantara, Nyoman Handi.
Kala & the Guardians Limited Editions presents a selection of works from the second project presented by Sawidji in what has become our conceptual narrative way. Our story grew together from its initial theme to its installation-focused process in Sawidji Studio. From costume design to studio staging, the documentation of its process carries as much of its meaning for us as the final images that we present.
Reflecting on the nature of Time and our relationship to the Earth and Spirit through a conceptual journey. A collaborative exhibition with the works of Dewi Dian, ManButur Suantara, Nyoman Handi.
Kala and the Guardians conceptualise an abstract idea. The primary themes that we explore here are Kala, Earth and Spirit. In and of themselves, their nature. In addition to seeing these three entities separately, the threading of them together in this collaboration is to ask you to explore your relationship to each of these elements.
Kala, Earth and Spirit Kala is known to come with many definitions. Among these are time, death, performing arts, and specific deities in Hinduism, Javanese and Balinese mythologies. Yet, despite the many origin stories, there is a connecting thread that Kala is all of those manifestations. However, in this Collaboration, Kala is our canvas. Here Kala is defined specifically through her manifestation as TIME. Of the three characters that we introduce, Kala is the faceless one. She is not represented as a portrait, or in a painting. Yet, she is present in them and in a significant way. That is also part of our display and exploration of Time. Part of the reflections in which Sawidji invites you to contemplate.
How different art mediums reinforce the message..
Kala is experienced through the conceptual portraits of the two Guardians representing our Earthly World and our Spiritual World. The portraits of the Guardians of Earth and Spirit were created through a combination of installations and the photography of Dewi Dian and ManButur Suantara. The paintings of Nyoman Handi respond to the questions and reflections raised by the Guardian portraits.
Collaboration, More Than Just a Word
All the mediums present in this collaboration bring very different qualities. Sawidji leads with photography. However, the photographic works are actually partners to installation pieces. Installation pieces that we created together as a team. The making of the costumes and studio installations together as a team is truly at the heart of each of our collaborations. A seed of an idea may be singular, but as it germinates and grows, all the contributing elements are what make it possible for it to flourish and blossom. Much the same for Sawidji Collaborations.
The artists that come together agree on the message. We feel the same about the message. It resonates in each of us. With this trust and agreement, we move together throughout the day and create together, the best embodiment of our concept. There is in fact a lot of freedom. A lot of room for each person to spontaneously make changes and try new things. There is no shortcut to the process. Our work is a result of going through a growth and maturing process for each concept, and this is done together.
Online Exhibition available for viewing https://sawidji.com/2022/12/13/kala-and-the-guardians-a-timely-reflection/
"My Grandfather speaks and walks these streets. He use to hold my hand, My Grandfather is ageless, his vision sharp and wisdom deep, Where is our playground? Why does he stumble? Is it my eyes that are careless of the nails and broken glass that would cut his feet? Or my ears that mute out his voice?
Did you not know there are sharp nails and broken glass that would cut his naked feet?
The artists involved in the Manus collaboration are Dibal Ranuh, Made Kaek, Nyoman Butur Suantara, Tjandra Hutama, and Dian Dewi. The five artists who have strong, militant and proven “colours” in their respective fields unite and dissolve in “Manus”.
Multi-disciplinary art collaboration including painting, sculpture, photography, digital media and film installation art.
An exercise of empathy through the only way we know best.. through our own human limitations and emotive perceptions. A portrait of Nature through hypothetical ages and experiences.
Read full article in image reference link.
Art Festival debuting in 2023 by Institute of Art Denpasar, founded on themes discussed by Dr. Sujana Suklu. Featuring Artists Bambang Herras, Agung Gunawan, Martina Feirtag, Diwarupa, Made Kaek, Putu Bonuz Sudiana, Robert Martin, Galung Wiratmaja, Steve Bolton, Dewi Dian Reich, Ketut Sumerjana and Dr. Mas Ruscitadewi. Nungkalik International Art Festival. An introduction to a contemporary art festival debuting this year in Bali that is in its early stages already showing signs of extraordinary possibilities. In nature Nungkalik is bold, experimental and conceptual. Centred on the idea offered by artist and lecturer Dr. Sujana Suklu that artists on a daily basis are subconsciously learning a universal intuitiveness whilst responding to the world throughout their lives.
That is to say, whether through their movements, musical or visual expressions as well as verbal interactions. Their bodies and memories compile experiences that keep developing and transforming with each day that passes. Their sensitivity to phenomena that occurs outside of themselves inevitably gets stronger and becomes a substantive sensitivity in their respective internal worlds. We may say this transforms into an instinctive sensitivity that does not require conscious deliberation when external elements circle close to their internal world.
The Premise of Nungkalik Art Festival
Artists are invited to participate in this experimental study, from different backgrounds, geographic locations as well as varying creative disciplines. Throughout the festival, community members with specialty areas in sociology, psychology, education and music were also invited to participate and observe. The global theme for the Nungkalik International Art Festival 2023 was introduced as ‘Exploring Archetypes’ with specific explorations on associated concepts during each workshop day.
Participating artists were involved in these workshops together with members of the Fine Arts and Performance Arts student body. Our day beginning with a discussion circle. Together exchanging thoughts and ideas about the proposed themes and the significance of the chosen mediums. Within these discussions, it is interesting how very naturally, abstract ideas and concepts were articulated by all artists.
full article.. https://sawidji.com/2023/07/27/nungkalik-festival-art-and-its-sacred-paradox/
Excerpt:
This is not a story about a boy and a girl.. Our portrait story is one of all of us. Each portrait takes us through a transformation. Transformations that are connected and represents a collective reality that we face as a traditional community. Enjoy the Online Narration of this exhibition.
https://sawidji.com/2022/08/17/red-chair-and-the-white-room-a-collaboration/
We celebrate each individual passion, fixation, obsession, compulsion of each artist that is at the core of their creative drive. What compels them to create in this pure and selfless way. As artists we go through such a personal and intimate process, often filled with some form of struggle in the self, only to give birth to the physical form of an idea. This in itself is a wonder, a powerful seed that nourishes arts’ growth.
Exhibition Catalogue
https://sawidji.com/portfolio/sawidji-comes-home/
Botanical Notes.. The White Wood Tree of Banyan was thought to be a ‘Bunut’ Tree or ‘Banyan Tree. Like many similar Ancient Trees in Bali. However, statements from local residents confirm that the genus of the tree has not yet been expressly confirmed. By the Ministry of Forestry or any University research teams. Their reluctance to confirm the genus of the tree is due to some particularities.
It is said the White Wood does not flower but bears fruit (we were a direct witness to the abundance of fruit on The White Wood). It has also been said that the White Wood will shed all its leaves every few months. Though Banyan Trees may shed leaves to retain moisture, it is unusual for a tree to shed leaves this regularly in a moist climate. So for all these reasons, the villagers have continued to call this tree Pohon Kayu Putih Bayan (the White Wood of Banyan).
Topeng Dalem represents the King, Dalem Waturenggon, associated with the Golden Age of Balinese Kingdom of Gelgel during the 16th century. He is known within this narrative as loving, benevolent and wise. A compassionate King. That is why, according to Kadek Sudiasa, in order to carve and capture the essence of Topeng Dalem is difficult. To capture the calm and gentleness of this King, with what he describes as having a particular softness around the eyes. It is this very subtlety within his character that makes it difficult to capture. He lacks the obvious characteristics that are embodied in Topeng Keras or Topeng Tua.
For Full article https://sawidji.com/2023/07/19/topeng-dalem-the-truth-of-a-king/
Sawidji has collated together a series of artworks and poetry for this special presentation. It is an anthology. This theme of ‘World Without Sound’ was inspired by the wonderful experiences we had in working together with the Sushrusa Deaf School Community. Not simply about raising awareness about those with differences in our community and sign language. Perhaps even more remarkable, is experiencing the reality of the nature of inclusivity. As a powerful value that nurtures a growing collective empathy.
Most art exhibitions have one primary objective and that is to feature and highlight artworks and artists. This is by no means very different. However, perhaps the spirit of which this was put together is a little different. Somewhat experimental that it could not be foreseen what will be the result. We invited those in our community, whether it be social, digital or local to participate in a contemplation. To contemplate the concept of ‘Dunia Tanpa Suara’. This translates to ‘World Without Sound’ (though may also be translated to ‘World without voice’). To contribute to this reflection using a creative piece.
The Spirit of Inclusivity
Our invitation was done in the spirit of inclusivity. It was not only artists but also other members of the community who felt reflections on this theme were worthwhile. With the time and space, we have available we can only say a heartfelt thank you to everyone. Those whose works and contributions made it possible for us to present this anthology. One for all of our community to enjoy. It is so so very rich with insight and learning. One that is deep with life lessons from all directions of life experiences.
With such personal freedom and intimacy, everyone came to their private message about their imagine ‘World Without Sound’. For each realisation in every individual, it is a lesson of wisdom, empathy or simply of beauty that we can partake in. ur heartfelt gratitude to everyone who opened themselves and generously shared their time, creations and thoughts with us. We are honoured by the generosity of the talented artists and writers who have come together in this anthology of art and thought, living the very spirit of inclusivity.
Online Exhibition available for viewing at Sawidji.com https://sawidji.com/2023/04/16/world-without-sound-an-anthology/
https://manbutursawidjiart.com/2022/06/25/natures-blossoms-photography/
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