About Apel Hendrawan
Apel Hendrawan is a painter, sculptor, tattoo artist, environmental activist and Balinese Hindu priest. A life journey that has seen him go through a battle with the forces of dark and light. A drug overdose that saw him incarcerated in the Bangli Asylum for the insane. Apel’s creative journey led him through experimentation until he eventually found his ‘voice’. A settled, more mature condition that reflected his state of grace.
Apel Hendrawan
“The human is a very cunning being, a master of deception. It has the potential to see clearly or translate multitudes of data as a fantasy.”
Biography
Born on May 29 1974, in the seaside village of Sanur, Bali, Apel, nicknamed by his father for his round cheeks, developed a deep passion for art since childhood. His artistic journey began with instinctive drawings that connected him to his cultural heritage and continued to develop into his early teenage years as he began painting on canvas. In 1995, Apel studied art at the Bali Art and Design School, where he became a member of the Himpunan Pelukis Sanur (HPS), the Sanur Painters Association.
Art is very relative and difficult to articulate. It is not only visual. Life itself is art. It depends on how we perceive it. Achieving something and manifesting it is part of a creative process. Life is an artistic journey, and if people go through it without awareness, they may miss the artistic elements within.
Artist Exhibitions
Group Exhibitions
1995
- “Himpunan Pelukis Sanur” at Gabrig Gallery, Sanur
2000
- “Lima Warna” Rare Angon Gallery, Sanur
2001
- Himpunan Pelukis Sanur, di Balairung Dewi Sri Exhibition Hall GWK, Jimbaran
- Group Exhibition at Gedung Mario, Tabanan Bali
- Exhibition Gelar Dua Budaya Indonesia – Jepang with Bunga-Bunga Bali, di Kuta Centre
- Group Exhibition with Gabrig Gallery at Miami, Florida
2002
- “Perupa Dalam 16” Gabrig Gallery Sanur
- Soft Opening ‘Himpunan Pelukis Sanur’ at Griya Santrian Gallery Sanur
2003
- “BIG” with Perupa 16 Art Centre, Denpasar & Griya Santrian Gallery, Sanur
- “New Harmony” Rare Angon Gallery, Sanur
- Pesta Kesenian Bali XXV, Art Center, Denpasar Bali
2004
- “Mosaik” at Griya Santrian Gallery, Sanur
- “New Harmony II” Drawing at Rare Angon Gallery, Sanur
- “10 Artists Introduce Themselves” 10 Fine Art, Sanur
- “Satu Malam” Griya Santrian Gallery, Sanur
2005
- “Painting The Sky by The Kite” Guet Gallery, Sanur
- “Indonesian Kite” Museum Jakarta
- “Bukit Layang-Layang” Johor, Malaysia
- “10 Fine Art” Melbourne Art Show, Australia
- “10 Fine Art” Hoggart Collection Gallery, Australia
- “Brikolase” 10 Fine Art, Sanur
2006
- “Jago” Niki Gallery, Ubud
- “Unlimited” Popo Danes Art Veranda, Denpasar
- “Panorama” with 10 Fine Art at Ganesha Gallery at Four Season Resort, Jimbaran
2007
- “Sanur Artmosphere” Darga Gallery Sanur
- Group Exhibition at O’House, Jakarta
2008
- “Green” Segara Beach Sanur
2010
- “Ten Made” Tujuh Bintang Art Space, Yogyakarta
- “Optimism” Sector, Sanur
2011
- Re-Fresh at Raos Gallery
- Balinese Modern at Hoggart Collections Gallery, Melbourne Australia
- In the Name of Identity. Tanah Tho Gallery Ubud
2013
- Langit Gemilang. Satu Natah Tiga Langit, 10 Fine Art Tour 2013 at Sangkring Art Project. Jogjakarta
- Langit Gemintang. Satu Natah Tiga Langit, 10 Fine Art Tour 2013 at SAND Fine Art Gallery, Sanur
2015
- After Ten Years, 10th Anniversary of 10 Fine Art Painters. Santrian Art Gallery, Sanur Bali
2016
- Hamer – Kinship in Art. Paintings and sculptures group exhibition at Sekar Jambu, Denpasar
2020
- “Penetrasi” Batu 8 Studio, Batubulan, Bali
2021
- Art Moments Jakarta Art Moments Jakarta Online 2 and Galeri Zen1, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
2022
- “Soul of Sanur” Santrian Gallery Himpunan Perupa Sanur
2024
- “ Perceptions Unleashed” at Museum Pasifika
Solo Exhibition
- 2013 -“Resurrection II” in conjuction with APEC Forum at Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia
- 2013 – “Resurrection ~ From Darkness into Light” at Griya Santrian Gallery, Sanur, Bali, Indonesia
- 2017 – “Resurrection III ~ Sabda Pertiwi” at Pasar Hamburg, Messehale, Hamburg, Germany
- 2021 – “The Secret of Cosmic Energy Continues” at Galeri Zen1 Kesiman, [Second Floor Coffee] Denpasar Bali
- Into the Secret of Cosmic Energy” at Galeri Zen1 , Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
- 2023 – “Celebrate Balinese New Year” at the Westin Resort Nusa Dua Bali
A Conversation with Apel Hendrawan
How did your journey begin?
Since I was 10 years old, my schooling wasn’t great. I ran away from home because of my community and left school after primary and junior high. My parents were okay, in a good position, but my spirit felt so different from my family’s. They were tailors, and I didn’t find a connection with them. They stayed where they were, lacking exposure to the world. I felt uncomfortable in that situation, so I ran away from home to seek something on my own.
You are open about your struggles. Your battle with addiction and art as part of the process of recovery. Can you share with us a little about your experience?
After leaving school, the blood of art was already flowing within me. I became involved in manual tattooing and mural-making, which became my hobbies until I abandoned my responsibilities as a student. My wildness led me into a heavy phase of drug use, and I became heavily addicted. This affected my health. I eventually overdosed, and my mental health suffered. I found myself in a mental institution. There were many hallucinations and paranoia. I felt like I entered a different dimension. It was a struggle to build my courage and overcome this experience. I feel blessed and fortunate to have overcome these challenges and to have broken free. Overcoming our minds and conditioning is a form of art, an exercise in tactics and strategy.
There has always been a red thread of art throughout my life, leading to the work I create. My approach to home and spirituality reveals that there is more art in living than what can fit on a single canvas. The creative force in my journey and memories goes beyond what I can achieve on the canvas. This is both mysterious and beautiful for me.
Then we began to enter the world of spirituality. This was not planned or deliberate; it flowed naturally. Spirituality cannot be wished for; it arises from our lives and perhaps from past lives. It’s as though we receive enlightenment or guidance, helping us navigate through the darkness. Throughout this journey, my relationship with art and creativity remains.
The Gift of the Mountain
Apel Hendrawan began a series of works depicting mountains. Simultaneously, it was during a time of many volcanic eruptions across Indonesia’s islands. The Mountain series led to a new chapter in Apel’s creative and spiritual journey.
I had no understanding of the mountain, it appeared spontaneously on its own. I am a coastal man. Living on the coast and that is where we worship. We worship the ocean. When I relate to the water, I do have a fear of its depth. I don’t know how and why I began to visualise a mountain. Perhaps there is a universal language that comes through our subconscious. Bhuana Agung Bhuana Alit.. the ocean and the mountain.. the mountain is a spiritual journey.
The Ashes of Semeru
I had my mountain series return from Art Moment Jakarta when Semeru erupted. There were consecutive eruptions. It struck me personally quite deeply as I had been seeing visions of mountains and eruptions. I had the intention to auction three works to raise funds for the victims. The money raised from the auction was 100% donated to the victims. Friends helped me to get it all to Semeru. I asked them to bring back a little bit of ash as a memory that I had done something for Semeru.
The ashes of Semeru were received in Apel’s hands. In his possession, he was inspired to paint with the ashes. This became the mark of something in Apel’s art and his life. The ashes of Semeru led to what we see as Apel Hendrawan’s spiritual journey, manifesting into his art in a perfect narrative through the symbiosis of sacred symbols Modre ( Aksara Balinese Script ) and the artist’s free and untempered visualisations emerging through the ashes.
The Narrative of Apel Hendrawan’s Art
Stylistically, when looking into Apel Hendrawan’s art, each work stands alone. Visually expressive, warm and textured, Apel’s aesthetic language contains European characteristics that are both classical and expressive— juxtaposed with specifically Balinese elements that inadvertently function as the orator. A philosophical narrative. His works are Spirit stories. And as with stories, they are flowing from a beginning to a conclusion. To understand the story, we need to read all its chapters and follow the author till the end.
The gift of ashes of Semeru Mountain takes Apel on a profound spiritual journey. A story narrated by Spirit, of the depth of our human experience. Its chapters take us on a path through the artist’s inner reflections. Inspired by the majesty of animals, the inspirational actions of human heroism. The struggle we all find in confronting our mortality is visualised through the horror of skulls. And finally the journey that we all travel, a return to our origin. A search for true self through the representation of the monk. The works of Apel display the servitude of an individual when surrendered to the spiritual call. The Universal Spirit manifests, and the artist offers himself as the empty canvas.
The Art of Self Cultivation
What we cultivate within ourselves—this is what they call talent or natural gifts—is what we must nurture to reap a harvest in our lives. I believe that when we offer something simple yet profound, it resonates deeply with those who understand. ~ Apel Hendrawan
There is a palpable humility in the art and person of Apel Hendrawan. Yet this modesty is what gives him the courage to traverse the darkness and drives the generosity that compels him to share his most private and difficult life experiences.
Discover the human journey of spiritual wonder in the life and art of Apel Hendrawan
More Coming Soon
Sanur Ink Tattoo Studio
Apel Hendrawan is well known as a tattoo artist. Today his tattoo art remains highly sought after and is found in Sanur. Sanur Ink Tattoo Studio is renowned for its talent, service quality and exceptional professionalism. For more on Sanur Ink Tattoo Studio visit their Instagram.
Media Articles Apel Hendrawan
- https://radarbali.jawapos.com/cover-story/70868147/i-wayan-apel-hendrawan-seniman-tato-asal-sanur-seniman-harus-kompak-dan-cegah-banting-harga
- https://mediaindonesia.com/weekend/380238/menguak-rahasia-kehidupan-lewat-lukisan-wayan-apel-hendrawan
- http://galerizen1.com/2021/01/27/pameran-tunggal-apel-hendrawan-pamerkan-karya-lukis-bernuansa-spiritual/
- https://www.nusabali.com/berita/89037/wayan-apel-hendrawan-pamerkan-karya-lukis-bernuansa-spiritualis-bali
- https://lifeasartasia.art/2016/06/01/resurrection-from-darkness-into-light-wayan-apel-hendrawan/
- https://balipolitika.com/tag/apel-hendrawan/
