Ida Bagus Putu Purwa

Ida Bagus Putu Purwa’s (or shortly Purwa) concept of art works is his continuous search of freedom. His paintings speak about human bodies in a true search and longing for freedom, realising that human existence or ones’ due rights was given to them since birth.

Although the subjects in the paintings sometime take different shape or posture, they are in fact an expression of himself. For this reason the figures are embodiments of the artist himself. His works are expression of this quest to freedom and a reflection of the suffering of this urge to realise his dream.

Wearing mask or face painted to hide agony, jumping high or almost disappear to the side while running, the figures move till the edge of the canvas (or paper) as if they are looking to break out of the frame, looking for freedom outside their confined edges. Inspired by the traditional Balinese dance, the figures appear to dance with vigorous movements, expressing anger and frustration. Sometime those figures stand precariously close to the edge of an imaginary cliff with unknown depth.

The figures somehow seem to realise their own physical limitations and destiny if you like and thus reflects a struggle for self-acceptance, perhaps resignation.

Abounding with heightened emotions and rich cultural traditions, Purwa’s stylised figures draw upon the diversity and vibrancy of his background. Graceful composition showing vulnerable strength and light-footed postures bear the weight of mental burden.

Born:
Sanur, 1 October 1977

Education:
STSI, Denpasar, Bali

Artworks by Ida Bagus Putu Purwa

Artist Bio

Exhibition

2019

Affordable Art Fair, Brussels, Belgium
First Art Fair, Amsterdam

2017
Solo exhibition, “Vague Memories”, Santrian Gallery, Sanur, Bali
Art Sampoerna, The Atrium Sampoerna Strategic Building, Jakarta
“Art-tivities Now”, group exhibition, Breeze Art Space, Tangerang, Jakarta

2014
“Legacy of Power” ARTJOG 14, Taman Budaya Yogyakarta
“Asah Asih Asuh” Sika Contemporary Gallery, Bali
“Locaforce 2014” Bale Pare Hall Exhibition, Kota Baru Parahyangan, Bandung
“Re(ART)ionship” Sangkring Art Space, Yogyakarta

2013
“Fascination” Avantgarde Berlin, Berlin, Germany in cooperation with Gallery Lukisan
” IMBA TUBUH ” DIA.LO.GUE Art Space, Jakarta

2009
“Rising sons from the archipelago”, Gallery Lukisan, Dublin, Ireland
Solo exhibition, “Sign Session”, Boya Fineart & Tony Raka Gallery, Ubud Bali

2008
Solo exhibition, “Break Out”, Boya Fineart & Elcanna Art Gallery, Jakarta

2007
Joint exhibition “Question of Distance”, Boya Fineart & Elcanna Art Gallery, Jakarta

2006
“Intuitive Reflection”, at Kiridesa Gallery, Kirds Singapore
“Jago”, at Niki Gallery, Ubud, Bali
“Maskulin”, at Danes Art Veranda, Bali
“Bali in Contemplation”, at O House Gallery, Jakarta
“Shape Expression of Bali Cultural Part”, at Art Centre Denpasar, Bali
“Sanur Festival”, at Santrian Gallery, Bali
“Unlimited Ten Fine Art”, at Danes Art Veranda, Bali
“Panorama Ten Fine Art”, Ganesha Gallery, 4 Season, Jimbaran, Bali

2005
“Melbourne Affordable Art Show 2005”, at Royal Exhibition Building , Carlton Melbourne, Australia
“Ten Fine Art”, at Hogart Collect Gallery, Australia
Twinning Exhibition (with Ketut Teja Astawa): “Art As Self Expresion”, at Santrian Art Gallery, Bali
“Brikolase”, at Ten Fine Art, Sanur, Bali
“Black & White Group Hybridism”, at Pilar Batu Gallery, Ubud, Bali

2004
“Sanur Painter Association Mosaic Exhibition”, at Santrian Art Gallery, Sanur, Bali.
“Drawing New Harmony II”, at Rare Angon Gallery, Sanur, Bali
“Triplet OH”, at Sudana Gallery, Ubud, Bali
“Exhibition at Guet Gallery”, at Sanur, Bali
“10 Artist Introduce Themselves”, at 10 Fine Art Sanur, Bali
“Auction”, at Swissotel the Stamford, Singapore
“Red by Black & White Group”, at Tama Gallery, Ubud, Bali
“The Journey by Sanur Painter Association”, at Puri Lukisan Museum, Ubud, Bali

2003
“TAI Black Dies Natalis STSI XXXVI”, at STSI, Denpasar, Bali
“BIG from Fine Artist In 16”, at Art Center Denpasar & Santrian Gallery, Sanur, Bali
“LELAKUT”, at Peguyangan Rice Farm, Denpasar, Bali
“New Harmony”, at Rare Angon Gallery, Sanur, Bali
“Bali Art Festival XXV”, at Art Center, Denpasar, Bali
“Sarasvaty in Imagination”, at Nandya Gallery, Ubud, Bali
“Red & White Reflection”, at Margarana National Monument, Tabanan, Bali

2002
“Trouble”, at Padang Linjong, Krobokan, Bali
Exhibition of Sanur Painters Association: “Soft Opening Santrian Gallery”, at Santrian Gallery, Sanur, Bali
“Exhibition and Demonstration”, at Apache Bar, Kuta, Bali
“Fine Artist in 16”, at Gabrig Art Gallery, Sanur, Bali
“Paradise Youth Activity for Humanity Sangga Bhuana”, at RRI, Denpasar, Bali

2001
“Exhibition of Sanur Painters Association”, at Balairung Dewi Sri, Garuda Wisnu Kencana Exhibition Hall, Jimbaran, Bali
“Indonesia-Japan Cultural Exhibition with Balinese Flowers”, at Kuta Centre, Bali

1997
“Creativity Exhibition for Welcoming Guest of PERTAMINA”, at STSI, Denpasar, Bali
3rd Anniversary of Kamasra at STSI Sanur, Denpasar, Bali

1996
“Gebyar SMK” Indonesia, SMSRN Denpasar, Bali (“All Indonesian Senior High School Creativity Show)

Awards

1989
The Best Artwork of Painting Competition, Denpasar Bali