Sights in Ubud
-
Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana
This cool and dense swath of jungle, officially called Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana, houses three holy temples. The sanctuary is inhabited by a band of grey-haired and greedy long-tailed Balinese macaques that are nothing like the innocent-looking doe-eyed monkeys on the brochures.
reviewed
-
Pura Taman Saraswati
Just a bit west of Pura Desa Ubud is the very picturesque Pura Taman Saraswati. Waters from the temple at the rear of the site feed the pond in the front which overflows with pretty lotus blossoms. There are carvings that honour Dewi Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and the arts, who has clearly given her blessing to Ubud. There are weekly dance performances.
reviewed
-
Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts displays fine examples of all schools of Balinese art. You just need to look at the lush composition of 'Balinese Market' by Anak Agung Gde Sobrat to see the vibrancy of local painting. It was in Ubud that the modern Balinese art movement started; where artists first began to abandon purely religious themes and court subjects for scenes of everyday life.
Rudolf Bonnet was part of the Pita Maha artists' cooperative, and together with Cokorda Gede Agung Sukawati (a prince of Ubud's royal family) they helped to establish a permanent collection
The first pavilion straight ahead as you enter has a collection of early works from Ubud and the surrounding …
reviewed
-
A
Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA)
Founded by Agung Rai as a museum, gallery and cultural centre, the impressive Arma is the only place in Bali to see haunting works by the influential German artist Walter Spies.
The museum is housed in several traditional buildings set in gardens with water coursing through channels. It features work by 19th-century Javanese artist Raden Saleh. It exhibits classical Kamasan paintings, Batuan-style work from the 1930s and '40s, and works by Lempad, Affandi, Sadali, Hofker, Bonnet and Le Mayeur. The collection is well labelled in English.
Look for the enigmatic Portrait of a Javanese Nobleman and His Wife by Raden Saleh, which predates the similar American Gothic by decades.
I…
reviewed
-
Botanic Garden Ubud
Discover the stories behind the many plants that make Bali green at Botanic Garden Ubud, on the road to Penelokan. Spread over more than 6 hectares, the many gardens are devoted to various themes such as orchids (in greenhouses), Bali-grown plants like cinnamon and vanilla, flowering butterfly-friendly gardens, an enormous lotus pond and much more. The work of Stefan Reisner, the gardens are a good counterpoint to art-filled museums. Get lost in the maze and when you finally escape, take comfort from Bali's medicinal plants. The exhibit about the cacti of East Bali is worth the cost of admission alone.
reviewed
-
B
ARMA
Founded by Agung Rai as a museum, gallery and cultural centre, the impressive ARMA is the only place in Bali to see works by the influential German artist Walter Spies. It also has works by 19th-century Javanese artist Raden Saleh. It exhibits classical Kamasan paintings, Batuan-style work from the 1930s and 1940s, and works by Lempad, Affandi, Sadali, Hofker, Bonnet and Le Mayeur. The collection is well labelled in English. Look for the enigmatic Portrait of a Javanese Nobleman and his Wife by Raden Saleh.
reviewed
-
I Gusti Nyoman Lempad's House
This house is open to the public, but it's mainly used as a gallery for a group of artists, which includes Lempad's grandchildren. There are only a few of Lempad's own paintings and drawings here. The Puri Lukisan and Neka museums have more extensive collections of Lempad's drawings. The family compound itself is a good example of traditional Balinese architecture and layout - Lempad was also an architect and sculptor. It's also home to many animals in cages.
reviewed
-
Seniwati Gallery Of Art By Women
The Seniwati Gallery Of Art By Women exhibits works by over 70 Balinese, Indonesian and resident foreign women artists. The information on many of the artists makes for fascinating reading. The gallery and workshop aims to publicise Balinese women artists and to encourage the next generation. The works span all mediums and this place is an excellent example of the kinds of cultural and artistic organisations that can thrive in Ubud.
reviewed
-
C
Museum Rudana
This large, imposing museum is the creation of local politician and art-lover Nyoman Rudana and his wife Ni Wayan Olasthini. The three floors contain over 400 traditional paintings, including a calendar dated to the 1840s, some Lempad drawings, and more-modern pieces. The museum is beside the Rudana Gallery, which has a large selection of paintings for sale.
reviewed
-
Ubud Palace
Ubud Palace & Puri Saren Agung share space in the heart of Ubud. The compound has many ornate corners and was mostly built after the 1917 earthquake. The local royal family still lives here and you can wander around most of the large compound exploring the many traditional and not excessively ornate buildings. If you really like it, you can stay the night.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Adi’s Studio
‘Look at this!’ cry the signs around town plugging this interesting gallery, and you should. Many of the better local artists display their works here, including Wayan Pasti, whose carvings give new meaning to ‘pork’. It hosts occasional special events like live music.
reviewed
-
D
Neka Art Museum
Quite distinct from Neka Gallery, the Neka Art Museum is the creation of Suteja Neka, a private collector and dealer in Balinese art. It has an excellent and diverse collection and is a good place to learn about the development of painting in Bali.
You can get an overview of the myriad local painting styles in the Balinese Painting Hall. Look for the wayang works.
The Arie Smit Pavilion features Smit's works on the upper level, and examples of the Young Artist school, which he inspired, on the lower level. Look for the Bruegel-like The Wedding Ceremony by I Nyoman Tjarka.
The Lempad Pavilion houses Bali's largest collection of works by I Gusti Nyoman Lempad.
The Contemporary …
reviewed
-
E
Symon Studio
'Danger! Art!' screams the sign in Campuan. With this you know you've found the gallery/studio of the irrepressible American artist Symon. The gallery is a spacious and airy place full of huge, colourful and exotic portraits. The work ranges from the sublime to the profane. Symon, however, is most often found in his gallery in north Bali.
reviewed
-
F
Rio Helmi Gallery
Noted photographer and Ubud resident Rio Helmi has a small gallery where you can see examples of journalistic and artistic work. Photos change often and offer beautiful insight into Helmi's travels worldwide and across Bali.
reviewed
-
G
Neka Gallery
Operated by Suteja Neka, the low-key Neka Gallery is a separate entity from the Neka Art Museum. It has an extensive selection from all the schools of Balinese art, as well as works by European residents such as the renowned Arie Smit.
reviewed
-
H
Agung Rai Gallery
This gallery is in a pretty compound and its collection covers the full range of Balinese styles. It functions as a cooperative, with the work priced by the artist and the gallery adding a percentage.
reviewed
-
I
Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women
This gallery exhibits works by more than 70 Balinese, Indonesian and resident foreign women artists. The information on many of the artists makes for fascinating reading. Works span all media.
reviewed
-
J
Komaneka Art Gallery
Exhibiting works from established Balinese artists, this gallery is a good place to see high-profile art, in a large and lofty space.
reviewed
-
Pho Gallery
You never know what you'll find at Pho Gallery, an enigmatic and enthusiastic open-air gallery right beside the road. From performance art to wild installations it could be here.
reviewed
-
Pura Marajan Agung
Pura Marajan Agung has one of the finest gates you’ll find and is the private temple for Ubud’s royal family.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
-
K
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
This cool and dense swath of jungle, officially called Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana, houses three holy temples. The sanctuary is inhabited by a band of grey-haired and greedy long-tailed Balinese macaques who are nothing like the innocent-looking doe-eyed monkeys on the brochures. They are ever vigilant for passing tourists who just might have peanuts and ripe bananas available for a quick hand-out. Don't hand food directly to these creatures.
The interesting Pura Dalem Agung (Temple of the Dead) is in the forest and has a real Indiana Jones feel to it. Look for the Rangda figures devouring children at the entrance to the inner temple.
You can enter through one of the three g…
reviewed
-
L
Pranoto's Art Gallery
The husband-wife pair of artists Pranoto and Kerry Pendergrast display their works here. The scenes of Indonesian life are lovely.
reviewed
-
Petulu
Every evening at around 6pm, thousands of big herons and egrets fly in to Petulu, about 2.5km north of Jl Raya Ubud, squabbling over the prime perching places before settling into the trees beside the road and becoming a tourist attraction. The herons, mainly the striped Java pond species, started their visits to Petulu in 1965 for no apparent reason. Villagers believe they bring good luck (as well as tourists), despite the smell and the mess. A few warung (food stalls) have been set up in the paddy fields, where you can have a drink while enjoying the spectacle. Walk quickly under the trees if the herons are already roosting.
Petulu is a pleasant walk or bicycle ride on a…
reviewed
-
Ketut Rudi Gallery
These sprawling galleries showcase the works of more than 50 Ubud artists with techniques as varied as primitive and new realism. The gallery's namesake is on display as well; he favours an entertaining style best described as 'comical realism'.
reviewed
