Nestled between the lush greenery and pristine beaches of Indonesia, the island of Bali is known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant artistic traditions. Balinese art and handicrafts have been shaped by centuries of history, religion, and tradition, and they continue to be an integral part of the island’s identity today.
From intricate wood carvings and colorful textiles to delicate silver jewelry and beautiful ceramics, Bali’s art and handicrafts offer a glimpse into the island’s rich culture and heritage. In this guide, we will explore the different forms of Balinese art and handicrafts, providing insights into their cultural significance and recommendations for travelers who want to learn more about these timeless traditions.
Today, we may witness highly developed art forms everywhere these artisans formerly had consumers. One of the most visible examples is in Yogyakarta, where the Sultan’s family has long supported batik, silver, wayang, and other craftspeople. Art forms proliferated as a result of this sponsorship, resulting in a diverse range of art forms today.
The rich cultural traditions of Bali, where each person is historically required to master abilities in a specific art form – whether it dance, music, or visual arts – have resulted in the formation of a lively artistic community. For generations, foreign artists have been lured to Bali by its unique cultural synergy.
Handicrafts also arose from the decoration and use of everyday household goods for ceremonial purposes. Consider the numerous applications for natural woods, fibers, bamboo, rattan, and grasses. Natural and synthetic dyes, pearls, and other natural embellishments are used to decorate these things, many of which have evolved into different art forms over time.
Many expats take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about Indonesian culture, or to start a collection of art objects or handicrafts that they appreciate. We proceed from early adventures to the delights of discovery and learning, to seeking down specific goods and attaining true finds.
Balinese Paintings
Although Balinese paintings have been around since the 13th century, they didn’t fully take off until the 1920s. Until that point, the vast majority of Bali’s painters had concentrated on religious themes.
Religion strongly inspired traditional Balinese artwork, which included stories from the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. These paintings, like those seen in the “wayang kulit” art genre, were painted simply with natural colors produced from cotton blossoms and rice starch (shadow puppetry from Java).
Pura Besakih is home to some of the world’s oldest and best-preserved artworks, including a 15th-century Ganesha. Ubud’s museums, palaces, and temples currently house some outstanding early 19th-century artwork. Beginning in the 1930s, the tourist destinations of Ubud, Batuan, and Sanur were well-known for creating high-quality art. Famous Balinese artists such as I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, Ida Bagus Gelgel, and Ida Bagus Kembang flourished during this time period.
They’d incorporated Western concepts and techniques into their traditional creative practice.
Balinese art has come a long way since then. Ubud is the cultural hub of the island, and it is here that you will locate the island’s best art museums. You can, however, visit museums in Sanur and Nusa Dua to see works by well-known Balinese painters.
There are various areas in and around Ubud, Bali, where you can see examples of the wide range of creative approaches employed by today’s artists.
Wood Carvings
Wood carving, a popular type of Balinese souvenir, is an age-old art form that has grown with the island and its many visitors.
Despite the ubiquity of inexpensive wooden decorations with inspirational sayings and goofy cartoon characters, there is only one place where truly skilled artists can be found.
Mas, located in the Gianyar regency, is well-known for its woodcarvings and other kinds of artistic expression. Many well-known craftspeople have arisen from this region, and students have come from all over the island and even other nations to learn here.
Wooden doors and wall pieces of various sizes that are decorated with flowers, landscapes, and classic renditions of scenes are common examples.
Balinese wood carving, like Balinese art, experienced a major transition in the 1930s and 1940s as a result of the infusion of western ideas and techniques.
Master carvers such as Ida Bagus Nyana, his son Ida Bagus Tilem, and Tjokot advanced the medium by experimenting with small and significant changes in measurements and proportions to impact the final form of a carving.
They added a unique twist to carving by using nontraditional shapes of wood and branches rather than presenting stories or imagery from epic mythology. Their works are symbolic depictions of universal human emotions and concepts, with profound philosophical and psychological undertones.
Stone Carvings
Stone carving, or more accurately stone sculpting, is one of the most intricate styles of art for sale in Bali. In Bali, artisans use mallets and chisels to carve elaborate carvings of Hindu deities, temple guardians, and wall and garden ornamentation. The studios that make these sculptures are easily found, as they are positioned and display their work throughout Bali’s streets.
Stone carving is a popular art form in the town of Batubulan. Many stone carving enterprises transport their works overseas, where private clients, interior designers, and merchants buy them. One popular application for carved stone is the creation of Buddha sculptures, which can range in size from tiny to over two meters in height.
Balinese Textiles and Endek
Sidemen’s villagers make two types of woven fabrics: the first, an Ikat weaving known as endek, is ideal for both regular and ceremonial situations. Balinese textiles are known for their vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and high quality. Endek is a traditional Balinese textile that is characterized by its distinctive diamond-shaped patterns created by tying and dyeing the threads before weaving.
Endek textiles are made using natural fibers such as cotton or silk, and are often used for traditional clothing such as sarongs, kebayas (blouses), and songket (traditional woven fabric). The colors and patterns used in endek textiles often have symbolic meaning and are associated with Balinese culture and religious ceremonies. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Balinese textiles and endek, and many local artisans are working to preserve and promote these traditional crafts. Because of the delicate dyes on the Songket, it cannot be cleaned in a machine, thus particular care must be taken anytime it is worn.
Sidemen, a town known for its textile artisans, spends the majority of its days weaving textiles. Every lady in this village, young and old, can weave at least simple patterns. The magnificent natural location in which they reside inspires the people to continue manufacturing their exquisitely elegant patterned cloth. In Sulang Village, the evolution of endek cloth began in 1975 and has accelerated over the subsequent forty years.
Batik, on the other hand, is a well-known traditional textile that represents Indonesia’s cultural past as a whole. It is manufactured by adding wax-resist dyes to fabric. Every type of Indonesian fabric has been seen on major runways across the world. Batik can be created in a variety of ways, including hand-drawing the dotted and line motifs on the fabric or printing them with a stamp.
Endak and batik both require numerous coloring processes to ensure that the intended color and motif are permanently imprinted on the fabric, but endek clothing colored using artificial dyes are of lesser quality and are more likely to rip or seem worn after washing.
Silversmiths and Jewellery
Celuk is an artists’ town in the Gianyar area, near Ubud, known for its fine Balinese and contemporary silver and gold jewelry. Because it is a skill that has been passed down through generations, most working painters began learning when they were young. For nearly a century, it has been renowned as the silversmiths’ village.
Visitors to town can purchase the jewelers’ greatest pieces of art straight from them at significantly reduced costs than those offered in nearby shops. When you purchase something from the Celuk village silversmiths, you are helping to preserve a centuries-old tradition and assure the continuous production of wonderful pieces of art.
Rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, hairpins, and brooches are among the accessories available, with elaborate designs produced by artists with world-class skills. Many stores and artists are eager to collaborate with customers to create one-of-a-kind works, with prices ranging from low to high depending on the materials used and the complexity of the design.
Travelers can not only shop for and learn about local things, but they can also participate in the creation of their own one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. Several galleries provide an all-inclusive silversmiths course for travelers interested in learning how to produce their own jewelry as a keepsake to take home with them.
The majority of the original Celuk village residents were farmers, but a few Pande caste families pioneered the rise of the silversmith trade by working with a variety of metals to manufacture Hindu sacred objects. As tourism grew to become the island’s economic backbone, many Balinese farmers abandoned their land and relocated to cities to pursue employment in the silver and gold industries. Celuk, on the other hand, lacks its own silver mines, therefore the majority of its raw materials must be transported in from other parts of Indonesia.
From the colorful textiles and intricate wood carvings to the delicate silver jewelry and beautiful ceramics, the art and handicrafts of Bali offer an enchanting glimpse into the island’s rich cultural heritage. As you explore the different forms of Balinese art and handicrafts, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the skills and traditions that have been passed down through the generations.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious traveler, the unique beauty and craftsmanship of Balinese art and handicrafts are sure to leave a lasting impression. So the next time you find yourself on this magical island, take the time to explore its artistic traditions and see for yourself what makes Balinese art and handicrafts so special.
To begin, if you want to buy Bali crafts at the best possible price, you might go to the Ubud art market. Go here to read our article about the Ubud Art Market: The Complete Ubud Art Market Guide for First-Time Visitors