Balinese art bursts with lively colours

By PAUL TOH GEORGE TOWN streets@nstp.com.my Artist I Ketut Tagen captures the daily activities of the island’s peasants and turns them into enchanting canvasses

Coming from the island is one of the most promising artists, I Ketut Tagen, a member of the renowned Peasant Painters of Penestanan. Currently, 20 of Tagen's colourful paintings are on display at the Alpha Utara Gallery at 83, Lebuh China, until Jan 20. Recently, architect and art collector Datuk Seri Lim Chong Keat, a great admirer of the Penestanan artists and frequent visitor to the island, brought Tagen's paintings to Penang to showcase Balinese art to the Malaysian public. "Though these artists have no formal training, they produce outstanding native Balinese art with great dexterity, as they are attuned to their natural environment," said Lim during his introductory speech at the gallery.

"The riot of colours reveals the spirit of the artist in what is categorised as true naive art, uninhibited and a living heritage." Tagen's paintings capture the daily lives of Balinese peasants. Acclaimed as the finest of native artists, Tagen's originality and composition puts him head-and-shoulders above his fellow painters, as noted by critics. The event's guest-of-honour, former Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Datuk N. Para-meswaran, was captivated by how Tagen fills entire canvases with scenes of daily Balinese activities, while his humans remain faceless. "Tagen's originality makes the paintings worth their price tag," said Parameswaran. The paintings are being sold for up to RM10,000. The gallery is open daily except Mondays. For details, call 04-262 6840. Read more: Balinese art bursts with lively colours - Northern - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/balinese-art-bursts-with-lively-colours-1.26948#ixzz1iSCgqrBl