Larasati'€™s auction at ARMA is sure to attract attention from local and international collectors

Larasati Auctioneers will mark the 10th anniversary of its Balinese Modern Traditional and Contemporary Art auctions at Ubud'€™s Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) on Feb. 28.

Emphasizing quality over quantity, the 81 items on the block will feature a parade of beautiful works, including sketches, watercolors, woodcarvings and paintings by old and young Balinese masters.

'€œOur intention was simple when we began promoting traditional Balinese art 10 years ago,'€ Larasati Auctioneers CEO of Daniel Komala says. '€œWe wanted to revive the '€˜dying'€™ market.'€

Holding two auctions a year in Ubud, Larasati has opened an international forum for trading high quality traditional Balinese works, especially paintings.

One of the many highlights is expected to be Lot 40, Tari Joged Bumbung, 2008, acrylic on canvas by A.A. Gede Anom Sukawati (b.1966, Ubud).

Anom Sukawati is an artist from a great lineage with a unique talent for constructing compositions and excellent colorist skills.

Note his attention to detail in the costumes of dancers, accentuation of movement and positioning of color to create powerful contrasts. Priced between Rp 80 million and 120 million.

Ida Bagus Made Poleng (1915-1999), a master from the influential 1936 PitaMaha artists collective, is arguably the most talented Balinese painter of the 20th century. Lot 80, Legong Dance, estimated auction price of Rp 850 million, featured on the rear cover of the 2008 Puri Lukisan Museum'€™s 50th anniversary catalog.

It is a rounded composition of exceptional quality with good, balanced coloration that is rarely available on the market.

Lot 79, The Witch and the Servant, by Bali'€™s greatest modern artist, Gusti Nyoman Lempad (1862-1978), is priced between Rp 130 million and 170 million.

The ink sketch on paper beautifully frames two demons in the bottom corners observing and functioning as commentators, while trees at the top complete the framework to surround the central characters and perfectly balance the composition.

The finest woodcarver from the village of Mas, Ida Bagus Nyana (1912-1985) was the first to depart from the popular elongated figurative style and created works characterized by their plumpness.

Most of these feature figures squatting or sitting, however Lot 77, Blissfully Sleeping, is a fluid reclining figure with legs that disappear downwards. Rich in warm brown tones, this excellent and rare find has an estimated price of between Rp 270 million and 350 million.

Larasati'€™s first auction at the Maya Resort in 2006 debuted Ubud painter Made Sukada (1945-1982), who has since become a highly sought after artist. Lot 81, Boy with Bamboo Stick, 90 x 70cm, tempura on canvas, is reasonably estimated between Rp 80 million and 120 million.

Blissfully Sleeping, Ida Bagus Nyana

Close inspection reveals Sukada'€™s extraordinary commitment to detail with fine speckled gradations of color creating wonderful skin tones.

Soft blue-greys with white highlights are the trademark of the Pengosekan style-and are beautifully featured in Lot 78, Triwikrama, by Gusti Ketut Kobot (1917-1999), another PitaMaha master. At a low estimate between Rp 70 million anf 100 million, this represents an excellent buy.

Another fine work with a low estimate of between Rp 38 million and 48 million is Lot 38, Arja Dance, by Wayan Sudana (1966). This is a beautiful and daring composition featuring the lead dancer as the focus of attention of the four other dancers.

The foreground and the background, however, seem to reflect differing worlds, causing a sense of disconnection and disruption of visual rhythms.

Dark, moody and incredibly detailed, Lot 39, Pementasan Calon Arang, an early work by Ida Bagus Putu Sena (b.1966), is estimated high at Rp 150 million and 200 million.

Works in the modern and contemporary genres include Lot 60, Bima Kroda, an unusually strong composition by the influential artist and art teacher Nyoman Gunarsa, priced between Rp 80 million and 120 million; as well as Lots 13 and 62 by Dewa Putu Mokoh, (1936-2010) and works by artists Chusin Setiadikara, Krijono and Huang Fong.

Art experts say that Balinese Modern Traditional paintings present good buying opportunities and are considered undervalued.

This auction is sure to attract the attention of local and international collectors, investors and novices alike with many highly regarded artists, a wonderful array of attractive works in different mediums and sizes, catering to various tastes with attractive prices.
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Tips

If planning to bid via phone and you cannot attend a pre-auction preview, contact Larasati and ask about the color reproduction accuracy of images in the online catalog.

Condition reports outlining a painting'€™s current state are available upon request, along with information on provenance and data on prior owners.

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For more info

Viewing: Feb.28, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Auction: 2.30 p.m. S
Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA)
Jl. Raya Pengosekan, Ubud
larasati.com