Pitamaha Painting Arts: A Cross Between Balinese Painting and Modern Painting

Abstract

Pre-colonial Balinese art is dominated by wayang themes which contain symbolic meanings to be dedicated to the interests of Hinduism. After the Dutch colonial rule over Bali, the theme of wayang was replaced with the theme of everyday life with the aim of enjoying its visual beauty. Even though it has different principles from pre-colonial painting, Pitamaha painter accepts modern painting. The purpose of this study is to find 1) the power practice behind the acceptance of modern painting; 2) a cross between Balinese painting and modern painting. This study used a qualitative descriptive method and was conducted in the Ubud area. The results of the study show that 1) the acceptance of modern painting is motivated by the practice of teacher power over the Pitamaha painter of the Ubud group and the practice of consumer power in determining the theme of the painting. 2) the cross between elements of Balinese painting and modern painting produces hybrid art and localization of modern painting. The crossing of the two elements of painting shows that Balinese painting which was originally static and obedient to traditional standards has then developed into dynamic painting.