Ida Bagus Putu Purwa

Ida Bagus Putu Purwa or Gus Purwa for short (Sanur, 1977), is a contemporary Balinese artist who graduated from the Indonesian High School of Art (STSI) Denpasar. Within his art he takes inspiration from his rich cultural traditions, holding the customs of Bali in high regard. These same customs have come to form the root of his artworks.

Working with both painting and printmaking, his interest in the combination of charcoal and oil techniques, create a distinctive feature in his works. His creations are highly appreciated and recognized by international galleries and art institutions, leading to exhibitions throughout many major cities in both Asia and Europe such as: ‘Paper Power’, Danes Art Veranda (2015), ‘Fascination’, Avantgarde Berlin, Berlin, Germany (2013), ‘Imba Tubuh’, DIA.LO.GUE Art Space, Jakarta (2013), ‘Hello, Goodbye, It is all about East and West’, Willem Kerseboom Gallery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2012), ‘Face Face Face’, Tobin Ohashi Gallery, Tokyo, Japan (2012), ‘Edge of Indonesia’, EDGE Gallery, Hong Kong (2010), ‘SCOPE’ Basel 2011 and two solo exhibitions: ‘Sign Session’, Tony Raka Art Gallery, Bali, Indonesia (2009), and ‘Breakout’, Elcanna Art Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia (2008). 

Although the subjects in the paintings sometime take different shape or posture, they are in fact an expression of himself. The figures he portrays are intended to express both his emotions as well as his imagination. His works reflect a true search and longing for freedom, a realisation that human existence or ones’ due rights was given to them since birth. It is his own quest to this sense of freedom and his experience of the suffering of this urge to realise his dream which greatly inspires his works.