An Asia Society AustralAsia Centre Touring Exhibition
‘Crossing Boundaries. Bali: A Window to Twentieth Century Indonesian Art’
‘Melintas Batasan. Bali: Jendela Seni Indonesia Abad Kedua Puluh’

Inspirasi dari Seni Aborijin, 1988 I Made Djirna oil on canvas 97.0 x 118.0 private collection

The first exhibition to be developed and managed by the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre, 'Crossing Boundaries' is co-curated by Dr Adrian Vickers, Wollongong University and Indonesian art critic Dwi Marianto. Giving multiple perspectives to issues that have contributed to Indonesia's identity, the exhibition of over 60 paintings, drawings and textiles is drawn equally from key Australian and Indonesian private and public collections including the National Gallery of Australia, the Museum of Australia, the Queensland Art Gallery, the Museum Universitas Pelita Harapan, the Neka Art Museum and the Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women.

These rare, beautiful and topical works, some of which have never before been exhibited in Australia, span 100 years of Indonesian art. Political and social issues, the influence of Dutch Colonialism, struggle for Independence, impact of tourism and the development of modernism in Indonesian art are its themes.

		Bali Burger, 1995 Ida Bagus Surya Darma, ink and watercolour on paper, 17.0 x 24.5, private collection

Two Dancers (Dua Penari), 1975 Srihadi Soedarsono. oil on canvas, 125.0 x 100.0, Neka Art Museum

Caught between tourism and modern life

The radical works of artists Janggo Paramartha, Gus Surya, Gun-Gun and Gus Martin from
the Bali Post cartoonist group question the turning of Bali into a commodity. While
other artists have embraced tourism, seeing it as a form of cultural promotion, a way of
preserving and upholding their traditions by depicting aspects of the Balinese cultural
identity.

		The Beached Whale, 1978 Ida Bagus Nyoman Rai, pastel and crayon on canvas, 110.0 x 154.0, private collection

Sodom and Gomorrah, 1956 Sindudarsono Sudjojono, chalk, pen and ink, watercolour on paper, 54.0 x 57.0, Museum Universitas Pelita Harapan

Bali's role in Indonesian art: an object or a culture in which to live.

Artists have depicted the island’s people and culture as exotic objects in their external gaze since the 1930s. In contrast artists who have been pivotal in the development of Indonesian Modernism such as Affandi, Hendra Gunawan and Sudjojono have sought inspiration and refuge as exiles on Bali, engaging closely with its people and culture.

		Newspaper Seller Protest card, 1979 Hardi (Suhardi) reproduction on paper, private collection

The Bali-Yogyakarta trail

Since the 1940s Yogyakarta, Java, has been the artistic centre linking Bali to the Indonesian art world. This well-trodden Bali-Yogyakarta trail has attracted Balinese artists to study on Java, to form groups such as Sanggar Dewata, 'Workshop of the Gods' and the New Art Movement, and create work reflecting the multi-faceted nature of Indonesia. Artists travelling in the reverse direction included the radical Javanese graphic artist Hardi who raised social and political issues and lived on Bali.

Ramayana: Abduction of Sita, c.1930, Lui, Kak (aka Ktut Kuta), pigment on cloth, 85.0 x 88.0, Forge Collection Australian Museum

Continuing threads

In the 1930s Bali produced its own unique styles of 'modernism' quite outside other styles of international art being produced at the time. Balinese traditions present in many artists' work have been a continuing thread, not superseded by the modern movements, rather existing side-by-side. The pluralism of Indonesian Art, with its roots in linear and figurative styles displays a wealth of religious and mythic imagery.

EXHIBITION TOUR INTINERARY

RMIT Gallery, Melbourne 16 August – 24 September 2002
Benalla Art Gallery, VIC 11 October – 24 November 2002
Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, VIC 6 December 2002 – 13 January 2003
Horsham Art Gallery, VIC 23 January – 16 March 2003
Wollongong City Gallery, NSW 30 March – 25 May 2003
Orange Regional Gallery, NSW 21 June – 4 August 2003
Drill Hall Gallery, ANU, Canberra 15 August – 5 October 2003 (Cancelled)

Contact the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre for venue details, hours and public programs and to book school group visits.

The exhibition is accompanied by Publications: an extensive bi-lingual 120 page Exhibition Catalogue and an Education Kit for Indonesian Language and Visual Arts.

“Crossing Boundaries” is the Centre‘s latest Indonesian initiative in the Program.
Click here for the Special edition of the Newsletter – Indonesian Focus.

Photo from Exhibition at Benalla Art Gallery October 2002.

The exhibition is generously supported by:

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