In the spirit of commemorating the 79th year of Indonesia’s Independence Day and as part of the 2024 Powerful Indonesia: Bhinneka Tunggal Ika programme, this year’s celebration is marked by the opening of the Gallery of Art ‘Pancha Mahabhuta’ Exhibition. Open to the public from 17 August to October 2024 at Pendopo Lobby of The Apurva Kempinski Bali, this award-winning hotel presents an exclusive exhibition that explores the concept of the five elements: water, fire, air, space, and earth, resonating with Indonesia’s cultural heritage captured through the art of esteemed visual artists I Made Griyawan and Teja Astawa.

Derived from Sanskrit, ‘Pancha’ means five and ‘Mahabhuta’ means elements. This concept represents the five elements that form the foundation of the universe, guiding the understanding of life’s balance and harmony. In Balinese philosophy, the concept of Pancha Mahabhuta emphasises the relationship between Bhuana Alit (individual existence) and Bhuana Agung (greater universe), symbolising the components that shape the world and signify harmony and balance in life. It is also profoundly intertwined with Indonesia’s diverse landscapes (earth), maritime heritage (water), the spirit and passion of its people (fire), cultural heritage and traditions that weave the nation (air), and spiritual connection that pervades Indonesian life and beliefs (space).

Hailing from Batuan, Bali, I Made Griyawan is an inspiring Balinese artist who revived the traditional Batuan technique. Influenced by his artist parents, Griyawan’s style blends traditional Batuan elements with innovative techniques. Aiming to reflect his identity and beliefs through his works and art, he often explores themes of personal and cultural significance. Known as the innovator among Batuan artists, Griyawan’s artworks have garnered international recognition, bringing Indonesia art to the global stages, including the ‘Awakening Soul’ exhibition in Tokyo, the Tokyo International Art Fair 2016, and the 32nd Chelsea International Fine Art Competition in the United States of America in 2017. In this exhibition, Griyawan’s mastery of the traditional Batuan style is evident in his depiction of the five elements, particularly in the previously unseen masterpiece of ‘Cycle of Life’.

In contrast to Griyawan’s traditional technique, Teja Astawa – a renowned modern visual artist residing in Sanur, Bali, and resident artist of Gallery Zen1, captures the five elements in vibrant and colourful pieces. A graduate of the Indonesian College of Fine Arts (STSI) Denpasar, Astawa’s creations are characterised by thematic series inspired by subjects ranging from animal figures to the traditional puppet ‘wayang’ stories that shaped his childhood. Over the years, Astawa has showcased his talent extensively through solo and group exhibitions in
Indonesia, Korea, and Singapore. His creations are also featured in the museum collection of the Museum of World Cultures in Germany and the Jeju Museum in Korea.

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