About Ketut Budiana
Ketut Budiana is a renowned Balinese artist. A Maestro. A revolution in his own right. Where spirituality, Nature, change and moving times merge. Reconciling an indomitable conviction that the essence of Balinese identity lies in Universal energy.
Ketut Budiana’s Code of Life Is Swadharma
To do Swadharma (duties) means to do it without expecting anything in return because the return will come by itself following the karma. To do, to work, and to search for something is a noble and valuable life. “Never waste your life.”
What is Bali? Is it Wayang? Is it traditional painting? Bali is Universal. Many foreigners come here and feel at home. It is not from aromatherapy or from the villas. It is a feeling, a vibration and a feeling of universal Nature.. Peace, and Love. It is Esential identity of who we are as humans
~Ketut Budiana
Biography
Ketut Budiana was born into a family of master artisans in the village of Padang Tegal, Ubud in 1950. Budiana is highly skilled as a sculptor and undagi architect and specialises in creating art for ritual in sacred temples, ceremonial masks and sarcophagi for ritual cremations. Budiana is a former art lecturer. He studied art at SSRI, the Indonesian School of Art in Denpasar and briefly with renowned Dutch painter and architect Rudolf Bonnet (1895-1978). Budiana began painting in the early 70’s and exhibited from 1974.
His work has been exhibited internationally in many foreign countries throughout the years and has won a string of local and international awards. He served as a curator at Ubud’s Museum Puri Lukisan from 1986 to 1990 and in 1990 as a curator at ARMA Museum. Contributeing numerous articles and essays to various publications throughout a prolific career.
Achievements
International Awards
- Cornish College of the Arts in 1995
- Arts International Festival, Seattle USA in 1995
- La Trobe University Melbourne, Australia in 2000
- Insitut Del Teatre, Barcelona, Spain in 1999-2000
- Arhus Art Building, Denmark in 2004
- Daito Bunka University, Japan in 2005
- Peace Festival in Itabashi, Japan in 2005
- Peace Art Festival in Ujjain Madyaprades, India
- One Of The 100 Best Collection of Fukuoka Asia Art Museum
National Awards
- Bali Arts Festival in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988
- Jakarta Arts Council in 1985
- Indonesia Cultural Departement in U.S.A. in 1990/1991
- PGRI Gianyar in 1991
- Jakarta Arts Institute – LPKJ. in 1993
- B.K.K.NI. Tingkat I Bali in 1994
- Jakarta Fine Arts Foundation in 1997
- Museum Puri Lukisan Ubud in 1997. 9. Kindergarten Manager II
- PGRI Gianyar in 1997 10. Bentara Budaya Jakarta in 2000
- Wijaya Kusuma Award Kab. Gianyar in 2008
- 2008 Bali Province DHARMA KUSUMA Award
- Udayana Award of Udayana University in 2016
14. Parama Satya Citta Kara Award 2017
Art and Individual Identity
Art is a search for the self, according to Ketut Budiana. For our identity. To try not to be the same as others but to find our uniqueness. In my home, there are many artists. I look to find my identity amongst the crowd. I learn from others but I do not wish to be the same as the others.
There are many things in art that helps us to reach ourselves. ~ Ketut Budiana
“One example, when I make a painting I am teased often. They see it as something that is not normal and therefore tease it. The same with sculpture. I do not wish for it to be the same, even if it gets ridiculed. However many of my works are used as examples. The Lion that I made for Bonet with moving legs. This was never done before and many protested. However, until now it has become an example, that sets a precedent of something new.” ~ Ketut Budiana
Self is a Bridge
If a person comes here there is usually something that brings them here from an unseen point. It will either be a conflict or a friendship. A bridge towards change.. from something that is not so good towards something better. I am a bridge for people to pass.
Ketut Budiana
The code of Swadharma of Ketut Budiana is not restricted to the selfless creation of works. It is immersive and challenging through all aspects of his life. It is an offering of self even through experiences that he struggles with. Reconciling the ego and strong individualism of an artist together with a deep interconnection with Nature’s essential rhythm and laws is how we have the enigmatic treasure of his creations.
Art Interconnected
To call him a traditional artist? A sculptor? or a traditional architect? A mask maker? A dancer? A teacher? These are all parts of Ketut Budiana, but not one surpasses or identifies him more than the other. This reflects the philosophy of interconnection that is most notably dominant in his philosophy.
The Meaning of ‘Painting’
In Balinese, Ketut Budiana explains there is no word for ‘painting’. The word in Balinese is ‘gambar‘ which means to draw or to illustrate. The word ‘gambar‘ is to illustrate something, whilst the meaning of ‘melukis‘ as in ‘art painting‘ carries a different meaning.
“In Balinese art we have Rarajahan, Wayang and Ornament. You can learn to ‘paint (melukis) through the study of these disciplines. This is the foundational step. However, once you are painting ‘melukis’ this is the providence of ideas. What the artist wishes to manifest in the painting, the idea that he wishes to instil in it, this is what makes a painting ‘lukisan‘ alive.” ~Ketut Budiana
A Universe of Ideas in the Paintings of Ketut Budiana
The works of Ketut Budiana are not abstract. Yet, they encompass a wide berth of universal life philosophy that one enters a visual narrative that leads one into an abstract realm. In the painting Triptych Kama Petak Kama Bang, 2024, the set of three canvases unearth a life reflection. The source of life.
“When we search for the meaning of the source of life, we experience many unpredictable and often undesirable things. The images of hybrid figures, that of the body of a horse, represent strength uniting with the human head. The union causes something new. Giving birth to a new energy. Something limitless. That is the essence of the meeting between Kama Petak and Kama Bang (white and red)” ~ Ketut Budiana.
Conversations with Ketut Budiana in Sawidji
Conversations with Ketut Budiana
Join us for our ongoing conversations with Ketut Budiana. Life, art, culture and facing the changing times.
Ketut Budiana Media Articles
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