Ni Wayan Warti (b. 1964)

Born in 1964, this young artist has been surrounded by art since the first moment. Her father is one of the original group of painters involved in the flowering of art here in Bali in the 1930's. He was a founder of the Batuan style of painting, which is characterised by its use of very fine drawing, filled in by black and white shading. Often Batuan painting is not coloured at all; when it is, watercolour is used as a wash over the ink shading.

Ni Wayan Warti learned to paint from her father at the age of ten, when she started work as an apprentice in her fathers workshop. As her skill progressed she was given more responsibility until finally she was allowed to do her own work from start to finish. Warti gets her inspiration from watching people go about their daily duties in her community, and this observation will lead to a sketch which will gradually be filled in and become a new composition.

Although Warti studied at SPG Gianyar to become a teacher, she decided to become a painter; however she would like to combine her painting with teaching sometime in the future. For now she is happy to make her exquisitely fine paintings at home in her studio in Batuan.
 

Ni Putu Suriati (b. 1965)

Putu has struggled against heavy odds to become a painter. Born into a very poor family, she was struck with polio at the age of two years old, and lost the use of her legs. A year later her father died, causing even more hardship for her family. Putu had no school education, other than what she could pick up from the other children when they came home from school. However, she has a thirst for learning, and has not only learned to read and write for herself, but she begged an artistic uncle to teach her to paint. He did so, and she now finds painting a very satisfying career.

Putu's work is in some famous collections in Indonesia. She has a fairy-tale like simplicity of theme, and is now developing her own palette with lovely soft and sweet colours.. She has a very pleasing delicacy of line and tone, and a strong imagination/memory for life outside the home. Her favourite theme is the Barong, which she paints in exquisite detail, reminiscent of some fine Persian miniatures.

" I love painting so that, although my disability made schooling impossible for me, I can live from my work. I have painted since the age of 7, and learnt from my uncle who was also a painter".  
 

Ni Nyoman Supini (b. 1957)

Ni Nyoman Supini was born in 1957 in the village of Kamasan, on the outskirts of Klungkung town. Kamasan village is most famous for its’ artistic heritage; it is the only place on Bali where the old tradition of Wayang painting is still practiced to a high and original standard. This tradition involves preparing a cotton length with rice starch before sketching out the picture (usually a scene from the Ramayana or Mahabrata epics), then colouring in the work with paints ground from stones.

Ni Nyoman Supini learned this technique at the age of 15 years old, when her grandfather taught her how it is done. Her parents and family generally supported her in her learning of this art, in fact her favourite hobby since childhood was drawing, so she clearly had talent and drive.

After graduating from High School, Supini continued developing her skills at home, painting at every opportunity.
 

Sri Haryani R (b.1961)

Sri Haryani was born in Central Java, and studied Art at the High School for

Art in Jogyakarta, winning the prestigious 1979 National Youth Award from Minister of Education and Culture. After completing Art School, she moved to Bali and lives here. Now she lives and paints in Denpasar, capital city of Bali.

Sri Haryani has often participated in exhibitions in Bali and Jakarta, frequently with the 'Bamboo Group' of artists. She has also had a number of one-woman shows in Jakarta. While her children were small, Sri Haryani found little time to paint, but over the last six years as they have grown up, she has found time to come back to it, and her work shows much more power and freedom, quite apart from the glorious colours and the interesting textures she creates by painstakingly building up the thick paint. The rhythmic flow of Sri Haryani's paintings make them a constant delight to see.
 

Ni Putu Ani (b. 1981)

Putu came to our Gallery when she was twelve years old, wanting to sell her work through us. She was too young to be a member of the Seniwati Gallery and so we tried to dissuade her, but she was insistent, so who are we to stop her?

Putu is a typical example of the extraordinary talents of local children, whose sense of colour, composition, and harmony, and very real appreciation of the natural environment is so highly developed. Now, as a young mother, she manages to provide for her family through her art and to continue her artistic development. We are very proud of her!
 

Ni Made Kurniati Andika (b. 1976)

Born in 1976, this young artist is from Denpasar in Bali and recently graduated from the Senior High School for Arts in Denpasar.

Kurnia has always been keen on painting and it was her favourite hobby since childhood. She started serious art studies as a student at middle art school, and then continued to senior art high school after graduation. Her family and friends give her much support because they know how important this is to her. Kurnia has not been lucky enough to have a senior artist nearby who might teach her, she is not from an artist’s family, or living in an artistic environment, but she finds her own inspiration and ideas to encourage her development.

Kurnia most loves to paint what awakens her feelings, or things which she feels have an important internal significance, such as the moon.