Oh Artsies, have I got a treat for you!  Can you imagine traveling to a tropical locale solely for the purpose of meeting and discovering artists?  Sounds like an exhilarating heaven to me!  That’s exactly what arts writer Ellen Caldwell did and she will be guest foraging in a new Artsy Abroad column and sharing her discoveries with us!  You can read more about Ellen here.  Now let’s see some of the fruits of her Balinese artsy foraging!

 The Lush Yayasan Bali Purnati grounds hosting the writer’s arts residency. Photo by Ellen C. Caldwell.

In February of 2014, I departed for Bali on a month-long arts writing residency, sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. This residency included a month’s stay at the beautiful, lush grounds of Yayasan Bali Purnati – and when I arrived I could tell it would be magical.

My grant proposal laid out my goals of scouting local artists in the contemporary scene, interviewing them, and writing about them. I proposed to use my writing to make a small bridge between the art of LA (my hometown-with-my-heart) and Bali. When I found out I had won the grant, I was ecstatic until it dawned on me that I did not have a any real plan for finding artists there – at all.

Federico Tomasi’s studio and untitled puputan series, featured in New American Painting’s “History Revisited: Federico Tomasi’s Puputan Series” after Caldwell’s trip to Bali in 2012

Knowing from my experience with arts writing, whether here in LA or abroad on previous trips to Australia and Bali, though, I rest assured that I would find the artists, or that the artists would come to me. And as it happened, something right in the middle of those two potential outcomes occurred…

My first week there, I spent my days rising early to write – first just opening thoughts about traveling and leaving home and then the more arduous task of scouting artists to meet in my coming weeks. I decided to use a three-prong approach: email gallerists I found online, reach out to artists I liked individually via social media outlets like Instagram and Facebook, and ask friends of friends to put me in touch with people. Sounded like a great plan, right?

Flash to two weeks later, though, and I had one interview on the books. An emotion that lay somewhere between fear and frustration was starting to sneak up on me.

Thankfully, I met a couple of artists and one gallerist who ended up acting as artistic hubs for me, putting me in touch with other artists, and serving as the key (saviors) to my success in artsy foraging abroad.

 Made Budhiana’s beautiful and airy studio in Denpasar.  Photo by Ellen C. Caldwell.

First, I was introduced to artist Ketut Jaya Kaprus. He then introduced me to the famed Made Budhiana and talented Wayan Sunadi. I spent a day at Kaprus’ studio and then at Budhiana’s ethereal, light-filled barn-like studio, listening to classic rock, playing with puppies, and talking about art.

Ni Nyoman Sani’s studio space at her family’s Muja Art Studio. Photo by Ellen C. Caldwell.

Next I met the talented, gracious, and contagiously happy Ni Nyoman Sani of Seniwati Art Space. She introduced me to three more wonderful female artists including Komang Emy Agustriani, Ni Ketut Ratnasih, and the eminent Kamasan-style painter Mangku Muriati. Sani also showed me around her family’s art collective, Muja Art Studio. Here, three generations of family members work in their studio and gallery spaces to showcase their work, ranging from paintings to sculpture to carving.

Paintings by Ketut Teja Astawa and I Made Wiradana showcased at Tonyraka Art Gallery in Mas, Ubud. Photo by Ellen C. Caldwell.

And finally I met Tony Hartawan, owner of Tonyraka Art Gallery, who helped me to line up interviews with six artists represented in his gallery, including Ketut Teja Astawa, I Made Wiradana, and Wayan Suja. I also reconnected with painter Federico Tomasi whom I had met on my first trip to Bali, about 16 months prior.

Through this international foraging foray, I was able to explore artworks I would have never otherwise seen and get to know artists I would have never otherwise met. In a nutshell, it was an aesthetic experience of a lifetime.

Ketut Jaya Kaprus painting Caldwell’s portrait in his studio in Batubulan. Photo by Ellen C. Caldwell.

Federico Tomasi’s studio space and current projects. Photo by Ellen C. Caldwell

My next guest posts will more fully explore the art and studios of Ketut Jaya Kaprus and Made Budhiana, Ni Nyoman Sani and her family’s Muja Art Studio, and Federico Tomasi’s current projects – and I look forward to having all of you fellow artsy foragers along for the ride!

All image credits listed above.