Where to start? The restaurants in Sanur "hotels" and the gallery walls are adorned artists working across Bali, but where to source the local population? One Sunday morning walk to Jl. Sekar Waru, the street where I live, provides the answer. At a busy intersection, I see Warung YaYaa which has some interesting paintings displayed randomly around the open terrace. I take a few tentative steps through the door and I am warmly welcomed by the irrepressible Igo Blado. Igo, musician, entrepreneur, traveler and art lover, manages the group Art 10 fine artists who live and work in Sanur.
Seek and you shall find!
Apel large canvases depict women in various stages of trance; striking images that in some radiate a deep sense of peace while others capture the essence of a troubled dream. Look closely at the paintings, one can see that all the women of his complex tattoos work display their weapons and running complex entwine their torsos. Looking Apel and his heavily tattooed body, you can see where his inspiration is. His mediums are painting and skin. I took the time to visit the tattoo shop, Sanur Ink, where I saw him at work "inking a dragon design elaborated on the arm of a Dutch tourist. Although much in demand as a tattoo artist, he said, is his passion for the oils he applies to his paintings. After studying at the Art and Design School Bali, Apel was one of the founders of Himpunan Pelukas Sanur (HPS), affectionately known as the Community Painters Sanur. His work is exhibited regularly in and around Sanur, as well as being shown in galleries in Ubud and Jakarta.
In contrast, the work of "Romi" Sukadana has the appearance of Balinese cultural tradition, but in every room there is also a glimpse of Andy Warhol. The work revolves around traditional Balinese performances such as Rangda dancers applied to packaging made of recycled cardboard. Its traditional representations sit comfortably side by side with modern iconic brands such as Bintang, CocaCola and Campbell Soup. The juxtaposition is beautiful. In some, the eyes of the dancers focus on products that hover on the edges of the painting; but there is no malice or judgment in the look, a simple observation. This series entitled "Hidden connections" attracted the attention of major galleries from as far away as Frankfurt, Germany.
In Sanur, to find great artists and their work, all one has to do is take a walk around his neighborhood. Visit the restaurants, galleries and Warungs -. Everything is there for you
exposure and the launch of his autobiography, the solo Resurrection Apel Hendrawan, will be at the Santrian Gallery, Sanur, July 24, 2013.
Both Made Romi Sukadana and work Apel Hendrawan will be exhibited as part of the Art 10 fine tour, 2013 in Satu Tiga Natah Langit "Langit Gemilang" 5th July 2013 in Yogyakarta Sangkring Art Project.