DENPASAR, balitourismnow.com – A total of 83 artists from Indonesia, South Korea, France, and Ukraine are participating in Bali Megarupa VIII, one of the flagship exhibitions of the 8th Bali Jani Arts Festival (FSBJ).
The exhibition runs from July 11 to 25, 2026, at the Kriya Building of the Bali Cultural Park and Nata-Citta Art Space (N-CAS) at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Bali.
Held under the theme “Sukma Rupa: Artistika Atma Kerthi,” the exhibition presents a broad spectrum of modern and contemporary visual art, highlighting the intersection of spirituality, cultural identity, artistic experimentation, and contemporary issues through diverse artistic media.
Organized by the Bali Provincial Government through the Provincial Department of Culture, Bali Megarupa has become one of the province’s leading contemporary art platforms since its launch in 2019.
The exhibition supports Bali’s cultural development policy by promoting innovation while preserving the island’s artistic heritage.
This year’s exhibition features 85 artworks, including paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, installations, textiles, digital art, tapestry, and printmaking.
The wide range of media reflects the growing diversity of artistic practices, where traditional techniques meet contemporary concepts, digital technology, and interdisciplinary approaches.
The participating artists were selected through two channels: curatorial invitation and an open call. From 60 open-call applicants, 19 artists were selected to exhibit alongside established names, creating a platform for dialogue between emerging and senior artists from different backgrounds.
According to exhibition curator and ISI Bali Rector Prof. Dr. Wayan “Kun” Adnyana, the theme encourages artists to explore creativity rooted in intuition, imagination, spirituality, mythology, and contemporary realities.
He said tradition should not be viewed as something fixed but as a living source of inspiration that continues to evolve through new interpretations and artistic exploration.
South Korean curator Jeon Dongsu described Bali Megarupa as an increasingly important international platform that strengthens cross-cultural collaboration and expands opportunities for artists from different countries.
He said the exhibition reflects the Bali Jani Arts Festival’s commitment to presenting innovative, high-quality contemporary visual art while encouraging creative exchanges across borders.
Among this year’s highlights are several installation works exploring social and human experiences, including multisensory artworks designed to make art more accessible to visually impaired audiences. Other artists address themes such as ecological concerns, identity, spirituality, and the relationship between humans and nature through sculpture, photography, and mixed-media installations.
Photography also plays a significant role in this edition, with artists from South Korea, France, and Indonesia presenting works that examine silence, sacred spaces, Balinese rituals, and humanity’s connection with the natural world.
Meanwhile, painters reinterpret mythology and traditional narratives through contemporary visual language, offering fresh perspectives on Bali’s cultural heritage.
The exhibition also showcases strong intergenerational participation, bringing together young emerging artists with experienced figures in Indonesia’s contemporary art scene.
Organizers believe this exchange of ideas contributes to the continued evolution of Bali’s visual arts ecosystem.
Now in its eighth edition, Bali Megarupa continues to establish itself as one of Indonesia’s leading contemporary art exhibitions, demonstrating how Balinese artists remain deeply connected to tradition while embracing innovation, new technologies, and global artistic dialogue. [buda]