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Sawidji Looking Forward
Sawidji Looking Forward is written by Dian Dewi Reich and Manbutur Suantara. Reflections on 2024 and wishing everyone a wonderful year ahead in 2025.
Over a Year in Denpasar
At the end of 2023, we made the move from Ubud to Denpasar. We didn’t have a chance to share reflections on that year before it ended. Now, here we are, already looking at the start of 2025. So what happened in 2024? How did it fly by so fast? Well, it’s been a whirlwind of activity—like riding a speed train! Some of the big highlights included Manus: A Conscious Journey at Sudakara Art Space, Culmination at Santrian Art Gallery and Irony of Being at Biji Art Space. With exciting collaborations with artist Made Kaek (Kala Api, his solo exhibition in Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta), Art Director Dibal Ranuh, collage artist David Hopkins and artists Bruce Granquist and Istanbul, among many others.
In between, we’ve been settling into life in Denpasar. This has been such a rewarding process. Sawidji house is becoming a home, step by step. We renovated the main house, and by the end of last year, we finally set up our office. We also adopted two incredibly spoiled ducks who now rule the roost! image of WIJI
Sharing our Experiences through Writing
Our projects are a direct reflection of the relationships we’ve built. The philosophies through art, culture, and our environment that have always been at the heart of Sawidji continue to deepen our knowledge and understanding. We have published over 50 articles since our move to Denpasar (and over 140 since our establishment). With contributions from author and journalist Eric Buvelot, filmmaker Joo Peter, writer Eda Ocak. It’s truly a blessing to grow alongside such a supportive community. It’s a reminder that our tag phrase, “Art is a Bridge; we live on it,” is not just words, but we are experiencing the reality of that every day. (Image Left to right: Eric Buvelot with Agus Kama Loedin and Joo Peter)
Art and Architecture
One example of the wonderful, unexpected things that can come about through this bridging of creativity is the collaborations we have encountered with the world of architecture. Both traditional and contemporary, the strong interrelationship between art and architecture gives us many insights and opportunities to learn and be inspired. We are honoured to have the insights and experiences of such community mentors as Popo Danes and Ketut Siandana.
Whats Coming Up
For us, time isn’t measured just by the ticking of the calendar, but that said, we’re excited to mark a new beginning and share it with our friends. We’re embarking on a whole new adventure, and we’re so glad many of you are together for the ride.
Growing Dialogues Through Supportive Community Partners
It’s hard to believe that it has been a year since our first appearance on RRI Pro1 Denpasar (Radio Republic Indonesia). Our monthly radio talk nights on this side of town have sparked many meaningful conversations. And we’re still regularly visiting our old stomping grounds, doing presentations at Dapur Usada in Ubud, with the fantastic support of Founder Scott Bauer. Our artists share their different experiences and engage in dialogues on various community platforms. Many of you have been amazing supporters there, and we’re so grateful for that.
Upcoming Exhibitions
There’s a lot to look forward to this year. We’ve got some exciting exhibitions lined up. One exhibition has already started—Path of Time with Wayan Suastama and Made Duatmika at Santrian Art Gallery. We’re also collaborating with Militant Art Group for their upcoming exhibition at Labyrinth Art this March, and working with talented artists like Apel Hendrawan and Agus Kama Loedin is a reminder of how art takes us deep into life’s profundity. The richness of philosophy and culture is truly eye-opening. Sawidji will also have a special collaborative exhibition this year, in the spirit of Red Chair and White Room, Kala and the Guardians, and Manus, a Conscious Journey. This Sawidji Presentation will debut at Batu 8 Studio in mid-year, the gallery of abstract artist Putu Bonuz. So keep an eye out! There’s more coming, but we’ll leave some surprises for later.
Developments at Home
We have a new addition to our team to help manage all the work. Reza Dwipramana, aka ‘Huruhara’ has joined us as part of our digital team (check him out on our team page)
We’ve got some exciting home projects in the works that we hope will benefit our community. Our Denpasar base will soon host regular programs including on-location workshops by talented artists like Loka Suara, Wayan Suastama and Made Duatmika mentoring unique workshops. So fingers crossed the rain gives us a break long enough to finish the renovations! Our friendships and dialogues are growing, and with all the interactions that enrich our days, it’s clear that we’re all growing together.
That said, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. It’s easy to paint a rosy picture, but the reality is, we’ve had our share of challenges. Time management has been one of the big ones. Juggling so many projects with different scales and timelines can get tricky. While we try to keep some structure in place, we also adapt to the flow of things, which means sometimes we’re working on the fly. The irony of it all? We moved out of Ubud, only to end up travelling back and forth all the time since many of our projects are still happening there!
Interviewing Each Other
ManButur: How do you manage all these projects in 2024?
Dian: With a lot of wine (laugh)
Which project is your favourite?
Dian: They’re all equally wonderful. (wink wink). We feel the positivity makes space for creative connections with many different individuals. It’s been nothing short of incredible.
Dian: How do you see creativity working its magic?
ManButur: I think you need to be around creative people. You need to be in a positive space where creativity can thrive. When you have both, ideas are never far behind—it’s like the engine’s always running, ready to start something new. I’ve learned a lot about passion, social life, and creative life—about finding personal expression through art. It’s more about honing and sharpening your intuition. But on the other side of that, there are many pragmatic processes and responsibilities we face every day.
Dian: So, what do we want to share with everyone? ManButur: This year, we’ve got at least six exhibitions across different disciplines, plus workshops, community collaborations, and even a few books in the works. We’ve got a lot going on (sigh).
What’s Next?
Dian: We’re still going through the process and doing what we do. The way Sawidji and its community have grown, reaching so many different people, is something we couldn’t have planned. We can only do our best—doing what we love, embracing the challenges, and appreciating the gifts that come along with it. This positive energy continues to fuel us, and Sawidji has taken on a life of its own.
ManButur: Were you prepared to face the different characters and personalities that you met in 2024? Dian: No amount of preparation can predict the individuals or experiences that will arise when working in such a dynamic and complex community. The only thing we can control is our self-awareness—being true to who we are. We must develop good, honest communication skills, respect one another, and foster genuine affection and goodwill toward each other.
What will 2025 hold? Where are we headed?
ManButur: No matter how mature we were in 2024, we were still faced with many different personalities. We can’t claim we were fully prepared, but those of us who make up Sawidji are like a vessel— and carry all of this energy. Learning to transmute it into something positive that allows us to grow. We need to protect and nurture this tree that is Sawidji so it can grow healthy and strong, providing shelter for many and bearing fruit to share.
Wherever we are meant to go, I believe the path is already set. It’s been paved. Like a course through a forest, a path in the waters of the ocean, or a trail in the desert—it’s not always visible. But the currents are there, the winds leave a trail, and water trickles along a familiar path. This is the path we are taking.
~ Dian Dewi
Message From our Friends
Made Kaek
I’m very excited since we started in 2024. As an artist who met Sawidji in 2023, I feel like it triggered something in me. Sawidji is an entity that can see potential in an artist or creator. Simply put, Sawidji has the power to trigger evolution and transformation. As Sawidji continues its journey, I hope that 2025 will bring a big leap forward, full of spirit and discovery—the planting of seeds for new artists. Sawidji always provides room for creative freedom, which is vital for the development and growth of artists. ~Made Kaek
Mimba Apel Hendrawan
Happy Chinese New Year to Sawidji Art. The year that has passed brought valuable lessons, challenges, and meaningful achievements. We appreciate and are grateful for every step of the journey that has been shared, filled with the spirit of art, cooperation, and dedication to preserving culture. In this new Chinese New Year, may Sawidji embrace new opportunities with an open heart and a stronger resolve. May it bring harmony, prosperity, and inspiration to all. We hope that moving forward, Sawidji will continue to receive support and trust, which have been the foundation of our journey together, creating greater beauty through art. Gong Xi Fa Cai! ~ Mimba Apel Hendrawan
Putu Bonuz Sudiana
The events they create are incredible, built on hard work and strong writing. This is not just about writing; it’s about organising, planning events, and creating topics that spark public interest. With Bentara Budaya closing, Sawidji has stepped in and breathed new life into the scene, becoming known in many circles and gaining significant recognition. I hope Sawidji doesn’t just stay in Bali but develops its programs under the Sawidji banner outside of Bali. Sawidji has its engine running, and I hope that it can expand and make a mark in spaces beyond Bali. There’s potential for Sawidji to take a serious portfolio of artists to spaces outside of Bali, or to bring artists from outside to Bali. Friends of Sawidji would be proud to hear this. ~Putu Bonuz Sudiana
Agus Kama Loedin
Sawidji brings a refreshing change that may be long-awaited in the world of art. The refreshing change means seeing the world of art through unity, peace, and happiness. May everything go smoothly. The Universe is supporting. ~Agus Kama Loedin
Loka Suara
In my personal opinion, in 2024, Sawidji has already built the art scene and helped the artists themselves. My hope is that, together with Sawidji, we will always present or bring forth resilient artists.~Loka Suara
A Note From Dian and ManButur …
“There were so many things happening, and it is not possible to mention everybody in this post. It extends beyond the artists in our community. The friends of Sawidji include more than those who come to our talks, to read our articles, to listen to the radio…All of this is part of the energy that keeps us growing and gives us spirit. We thank all of you!”
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