arts and crafts
Ubud is rightly regarded as the arts and crafts capital of Bali. In around the town you will find many shops, galleries and workshops dedicated to various aspects of the art of Bali, both traditional and modern.
Right in the centre of Ubud is the Museum Puri Lukisan Museum of Fine Arts, (http://www.mpl-ubud.com/). The entrance is signposted from Jalan Raya just west of the main market. When it opened in 1954, this was the first private museum in Bali. There are three buildings showcasing traditional and modern Balinese art mostly paintings and sculpture. Apart from anything else, visitors will find a visit here very helpful in understanding the different schools of art in Bali as there are exhibits dedicated to several of the main categories. Perhaps the most noted artists with works shown here are I Gusti Nyoman Lempad and Rudolph Bonnet. The latter was instrumental in the setting up of this museum and made several donations of his work.
In Pengosekan village on Jalan Hanoman 1 km east of central Ubud, you will find the Agung Rai Museum of Art ARMA (http://www.armamuseum.com/), Tel: +62 361 975742. This impressive museum, library and gallery is the brainchild of leading art dealer Agung Rai and it showcases works by well known Balinese artists as well as international artists who made Bali their home such as Walter Spies, Adrian Jean Le Mayeur, Rudolph Bonnet and Arie Smit. The only painting in Bali by renowned Javanese artist Radan Saleh is exhibited here. Entrance Rp 25,000, open daily from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM.
The NEKA Art Musuem (http://www.museumneka.com/) houses perhaps the most important collection in the whole of Bali. NEKA is in the village of Kedewetan about 3 km west of central Ubud on Jalan Raya Campuhan. Opened in 1982, no less than six pavilions house the various collections which include dedicated rooms for artists Arie Smit and I Gusti Nyoman Lempad. Entrance is Rp 20,000, open daily from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM.
The areas immediately around Ubud have much to offer in terms of art and each village seems to specialise in a particular artform or craft. For woodcarving head to Mas, 2 km south of Ubud on the main road heading towards Sukawati and Sanur. For silver-work Celuk is further south on the same road. There are many high end jewellery galleries here and well as more humble workshops. Stonecarving is the deal in Singakerta and further south in Batubulan.
