DENPASAR, balitourismnow.com — The Payangan Artists Association (Himpunan Perupa Payangan/HPP) is holding a joint exhibition titled “Udhar Banda Karma: Unshackling the Karma of Tradition” at Santrian Art Gallery, Griya Santrian, Sanur. Opened on Friday, September 18, 2026, the exhibition features 38 works by artists from Payangan.
The exhibition was officially opened by Gianyar Vice Regent Anak Agung Gde Mayun, accompanied by Griya Santrian owner Ida Bagus Gede Agung Sidharta Putra, MBA., in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The exhibition runs through October 31, 2026.
The 38 works on display reflect a range of artistic approaches, from traditional and modern art to abstraction and sculpture. The diversity is part of the Payangan artists’ effort to expand their artistic exploration while maintaining their cultural roots.
Chairman of the Payangan Artists Association, Made Dolar Astawa, said the exhibition provides a space for Payangan artists to develop a dialogue between traditional artistic values and contemporary developments in visual art.
“Udhar Banda Karma is a collective effort to loosen the constraints of established artistic conventions, broaden creative space, and break geographical boundaries for a more open future for our visual arts,” Dolar Astawa said.
Among the works on display are “Senyum Sapa #1” and “Senyum Sapa #2” by I Made Jendra. The two paintings explore the theme of family harmony through visual elements such as bun-bun and samlung, traditional elements associated with Bali’s natural and cultural landscape.
“This series will continue in the future. Perhaps there will be Senyum Sapa 3, 4, and so on,” Jendra said.
Another notable work is “Sang Anoman Ketemu Trijata” by I Wayan Badra. Created in a purely traditional style on canvas, the painting draws on a story from the wayang tradition about Jumawan, who disguises himself as Anoman in an attempt to deceive Trijata.
“I want to convey the message that we should never deceive or defame others because it can cause harm,” Badra said.
Meanwhile, the terracotta sculpture “Akhir Persahabatan” by Drs. I Made Suparta, M.Hum., draws on a story from Tantri Kamandaka about the tragic end of the friendship between Singa Candapinggala and Lembu Nandaka after being influenced by false accusations and provocation.
Suparta said the work serves as a reflection on the fragility of friendship when suspicion and provocation are allowed to grow.
Exhibition curator Dr. I Nyoman Suardina said the move from Payangan to Sanur represented more than a change of exhibition venue. He described it as an “epistemic shift,” reflecting a move from a space strongly rooted in traditional artistic conventions toward a more open space for artistic dialogue.
Santrian Art Gallery owner Ida Bagus Gede Agung Sidharta Putra described the exhibition as a meeting between the geographical and cultural characteristics of Payangan and Sanur. Payangan represents Bali’s inland region, while Sanur has long been known as a meeting point for different cultures and artistic influences.
“Preserving tradition does not mean imprisoning ourselves. It means allowing tradition to grow, transform, and remain relevant to the times,” he said in his remarks. [buda]