The Art of Balancing

IDA BAGUS PUTU PURWA

THE ART OF BALANCING

15 JANUARY – 12 MARCH 2022



THE ART
OF

BALANCING

15 JANUARY – 12 MARCH 2022

IDA BAGUS PUTU PURWA

1 IDA BAGUS PUTU PURWA

FOREWORD

2IDA BAGUS PUTU PURWA

The world of today seems to be very different than what we have had in the past.
While this is of course true most of the time, as no single minute or for that matter,
second, is exactly the same as the one proceeding it, the past two years the corona/
COVID pandemic causes global crises and drastic changes we all still have yet to
overcome.
In a more personal level, these struggles reminded of those the artist Ida Bagus
Putu Purwa (or shortly Purwa) had experienced not only during the time the autism
of his young daughter started to manifest, but also the mental burden he felt as
someone from the venerable caste in Bali.
Born into a Balinese family means that one is not completely free from his/her
obligations and duties connected to one’s hereditary origin. Although the Hindu
caste system is not as strict as that in India, this system of dividing society into
classes, gives more privilege, status/ranks and thus economical benefit to some, but
also imposes certain roles even life-long professions to others. Widely recognised as
tolerant, Balinese society appears to have its own problems accommodating
somebody who does not fit his/her expected role in the social system.
The works by Purwa are expression of the suffering of this quest to freedom.
Wearing mask or face painted as to hide agony, the figures move till the edge of the
canvas (or paper) as if they are looking to break out of the frame, outside their
confined edges. These are somehow struggles for self-acceptance, a balance he
seems to realise due to his own physical limitation and inability to escape his
destiny if we can say so.
The title of the exhibition is hopefully apt to express this longing to find the balance
in time, where gross of the global society seems to be seized by a lethal virus, that
causes fear for some while anger and distrust for others.

GALLERY LUKISAN
Roel van Veggel
Sander Salim

3 IDA BAGUS PUTU PURWA

RUN FOR YOUR LIFE

2012
Mixed media on canvas
140×200 cm

4IDA BAGUS PUTU PURWA

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6IDA BAGUS PUTU PURWA

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SIGN 14F

2009
Acrylic on canvas
250×110 cm

8IDA BAGUS PUTU PURWA

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SIGN 14B

2009
Acrylic on canvas
250×110 cm

IDA BAGUS PUTU PURWA 10

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SIGN 14C

2009
Acrylic on canvas
250×110 cm

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RINGKIH 2

2008
Mixed media on canvas
180×100 cm

RINGKIH 3

2008
Mixed media on canvas
180×100 cm

RINGKIH 5

2008
Mixed media on canvas
180×100 cm

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WAITING IN BLUE

2010
Mixed media on canvas
200×200 cm

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ENTAH...

2008
Acrylic on canvas
140×120 cm

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FLYING

2010
Mixed media on canvas
200×160 cm

IDA BAGUS PUTU PURWA 20

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MELAYANG

2008
Acrylic on canvas
150×250 cm

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JUMP 1

2012
Mixed media on canvas
140x100cm

IDA BAGUS PUTU PURWA 24

JUMP 2

2012
Mixed media on canvas
140x100cm

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DESPARATE ANGEL II

2010
Mixed media on Canvas
140×100 cm

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SUNYI

2008
Acrylic on canvas
140×120 cm

IDA BAGUS PUTU PURWA 28

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THE DANCING SOON

2006
Acrylic on canvas
150×70 cm

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IDA BAGUS PUTU PURWA

Born Ida Bagus Putu Purwa's (or shortly Purwa) concept of art works is his
1 October 1977 continuous search of freedom. His paintings speak about human bodies in
Sanur, Bali, Indonesia a true search and longing for freedom, realising that human existence or
ones' due rights was given to them since birth.

Education Although the subjects in the paintings sometime take different shape or

STSI, Denpasar, Bali posture, they are in fact an expression of himself. For this reason the
(Presently known as The
Indonesian Institute of the Arts figures are embodiments of the artist himself. His works are expression of
Denpasar) this quest to freedom and a reflection of the suffering of this urge to
realise his dream.

Wearing mask or face painted to hide agony, jumping high or almost
disappear to the side while running, the figures move till the edge of the
canvas (or paper) as if they are looking to break out of the frame, looking
for freedom outside their confined edges. Inspired by the traditional
Balinese dance, the figures appear to dance with vigorous movements,
expressing anger and frustration. Sometime those figures stand
precariously close to the edge of an imaginary cliff with unknown depth.

The figures somehow seem to realise their own physical limitations and
destiny if you like and thus reflects a struggle for self-acceptance, perhaps
resignation.

Abounding with heightened emotions and rich cultural traditions, Purwa's

IDA BAGUS PUTU PURWA 32

stylised figures draw upon the diversity and vibrancy of his background.
Graceful composition showing vulnerable strength and light-footed
postures bear the weight of mental burden.
Having done many exhibitions in Indonesia and some abroad, Ida Bagus
Putu Purwa now divides his time as an artist with his venerable duty as a
ceremony priest, an important task exclusively reserved for the caste into
which the artist is born in Bali.

33 1
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CONTENTS

Foreword
Ida Bagus Putu Purwa

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This digital publication will be updated whenever new information is available or
correction is considered necessary. Gallery Lukisan will provide the latest version
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TEXT PHOTOGRAPHY PUBLICATION
Roel van Veggel Sander Salim Gallery Lukisan, 2022
Sander Salim

34

LIST OF WORKS

Run for your life 3
Sign 14F 7
Sign 14b 9
Sign 14C 11
Ringkih 5 13
Ringkih 3 13
Ringkih 2 13
Waiting in Blue 15
Entah... 17
Flying 19
Melayang 21
Jump 1 23
Jump 2 24
Desparate Angel II 25
Sunyi 27
The Dancing Soon 29

Moeregrebstraat 72
4611JD Bergen op Zoom

NEDERLAND

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