Path of Time. A Longing For Home

Path of Time. A Longing for Home

Made Duatmika and Wayan Suastama, share a long-standing friendship and have been part of the same art circles since their youth. While their backgrounds are rooted in the traditional agricultural village life, they come from distinct communities Jembrana and Tabanan, each with its own language dialects and cultural traits. Both are members of the Militant Art Group. Despite having perhaps parallel artistic paths, they have never exclusively collaborated—until now.

When the opportunity arose for them to exhibit together, they quickly found a shared artistic direction. Reminiscing about their childhood and the concept of ‘home,’ both artists feel a deep longing. For them, home is not just a physical address but a time—a nostalgic connection to a childhood home that, while still standing, no longer feels the same.

This sense of “longing” or kerinduan became the common language between Duatmika and Suastama. There is a simplicity, modesty, and spirit of innocence that pervades their work—a spirit perhaps nurtured by memories of their village upbringings. This yearning to return to a commonplace, rooted in memory, is at the heart of their collaborative exhibition.

Made Duatmika’s Artistic Expression

Duatmika’s work is a vivid exploration of his childhood memories, coloured by the emotions of those formative years. His memories are filled with playfulness, curiosity, and a connection to the farming life. Water buffaloes, which hold cultural significance in Jembrana—where buffalo races are a post-harvest tradition—are central to his works. These buffaloes are not merely animals; they are imbued with human-like expressions and characteristics. A personification of sorts, that reveal an emotional affection and familiarity with this significant symbol of life in Jembrana.

The compositions in Duatmika’s art remain true to the two-dimensional style of traditional Balinese painting. Despite being a strong figurative expressionist artist, the roots in traditional aesthetics remain present. This series features linear, patterned compositions—often with simple dots—adding to the innocent and playful feel. Despite the simplicity, Duatmika’s mastery of layered colours and texture is a testament to a refined, yet bold technique. His sensitive linework, visible across both canvas and rice paper, showcases his visual character and technical mastery, regardless of the medium.

In his series “Path of Time, a Returning,” Made Duatmika communicates his childhood memories with warm affection and humour. The pastel hues, the playful expressions of the buffaloes, and the imagined conversations between starlings evoke a nostalgic, romantic view of the past. These works feel like a careful remixing of memories, arranged through the artist’s masterful hand.

Wayan Suastama’s Spiritual Connection

Wayan Suastama’s works also draw from his village upbringing in Tabanan, where the philosophies of Hulu and Teben, are central to his themes. His paintings blend these traditional ideas with freer, more imaginative explorations. The figurative elements merge in dreamlike scenes, where the decorative motifs of Balinese art are transformed through a visual reinterpretation that still carries its spiritual symbolism.

Gold, often used in Suastama’s work, represents not just material wealth but the preciousness of life’s interconnectedness. He captures a balance between movement and stillness in his works, representing the harmony between nature, humans, and animals. The recurring presence of the tiger, a creature now extinct in Bali, serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance within the ecosystem.

A Shared Longing for Home

Made Duatmika’s work offers a glimpse into a simpler time, capturing the preciousness of village life in Jembrana, which, though still present, is becoming less common due to modernisation. Suastama, on the other hand, invites us into a broader, more spiritual exploration of the interconnectedness of life and nature.

Though their life experiences are distinct, and their journeys have taken them far from their villages, Duatmika and Suastama share a profound longing to return “home.” Their works, rooted in their childhood memories, express this shared sentiment in different yet complementary ways. Their collaboration highlights the enduring value of village life.

Exhibition Catalogue. Available January 10th 2025

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