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13 Nyoman Gunarsa museum paintings receive cultural heritage status
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Historic: 'Sarpa Yadnya' (the snake sacrifice) is one of the precious Kamasan-style paintings on display at the Nyoman Gunarsa Museum of Classical Balinese Painting. (Nyoman Gunarsa Museum (NGM)/File)
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fficials in Klungkung regency in Bali have listed 13 classical Balinese paintings as part of the district’s cultural heritage. The paintings are in the collection of the Nyoman Gunarsa Museum of Classical Balinese Painting.
“Most paintings are more than a century old, some were even created in the 16th or 17th century,” said Nyoman Suwirta -the regent of Klungkung- on Wednesday to Antara.
The regent delivered his speech on the celebration of the paintings being officially listed as cultural heritage items. Prominent residents and the management team of the museum attended the event.
Read also: Adieu maestro: Bali bids farewell to influential visual artist
According to Antara, 64 paintings from the museum’s collection had been suggested as part of the regency’s cultural heritage. But only 13 received the status after the process was completed in 2017. The rest of the paintings are expected to receive the status later this year.
Apart from the paintings, other artifacts have been given the cultural heritage status, namely a leather puppet and some sculptures. According to Suwirta, the bestowing of cultural heritage status on the artworks was the idea of the late Nyoman Gunarsa. The artist himself expressed his wishes to President Joko Widodo when they met. The idea was to make sure that the priceless assets could be preserved and maintained by the officials of Klungkung regency.
“I will ensure that the remaining paintings are to be assessed and given cultural heritage status soon. Furthermore, we will propose this museum be integrated with the city tour package,” explained Suwirta. Apart from the museum located in Banda Desa Takmung hamlet, the Kertha Gosa pavilion at Klungkung Palace and Goa Jepang (Cave of Japan) will also be listed as cultural heritage items. Suwirta confirmed that the regency was ready to help develop the Museum of Classical Balinese Painting as Gunarsa’s legacy. (mut)
