Australian artists in Bali: 1930s to now

The lure of the enchanted isle is the focus of this exciting survey exhibition that focuses on the response of Australian artists to Bali from the 1930s through to the present day. The exhibition includes the work of significant historical, recent and contemporary Australian artists who have lived and worked in Bali, European artists who visited there prior to coming to Australia and bringing with them a range of new motifs and ideas, and selected examples of modern and contemporary Balinese art that provide a ‘right of reply’.

Australian artists in Bali: 1930s now critically examines the romantic idea of a tropical island paradise along with the antithetical notion of Bali as a gateway to the East. It includes the work of artists who celebrate the beauty of Bali and the complexities of Balinese culture as well as those who willingly engage with the negative impact of the West on the Balinese way of life. In this way the exhibition addresses the changing nature of Australia’s relationship with Bali and Indonesia over the past 80 years. Australian Artists in Bali includes paintings, drawings, photographs, prints, sculptures and video drawn from major public and private collections from throughout Australia and overseas.

Featured artists include Ian Fairweather, Tina Wentcher, Adrian Feint, Vincent Brown, Arthur Fleischmann, Guelda Pyke, Donald Friend, Brett Whiteley, Affandi, Matthew Sleeth, Deborah Williams, James Smeaton, Toni Wilkinson, I Wayan Bendi, Mary Lou Pavlovic and Ketut Suaka, Adam Rish, Lisa Roet, Rodney Glick, Ben Quilty and Laith McGregor.