5 Must-See Art Galleries in Ubud

18 Agustus 2017

These 5 must see art galleries in Ubud will surely please the art lover in you. Each is home to vast collections of some of the rarest and most prized artworks by late Balinese and Indonesian artists. Others include contemporary works in their collection, as part of their mission to showcase emerging talents within the local art communities. Most of these art galleries are self-labelled as ’museums’, partly due to their conservatory nature. While you will find no shortage of art shops, galleries and museums in the artistic and cultural heartland that is Ubud, we’ve picked only the prominent, must-see art galleries in Ubud that also happen to be landmarks of the area. Each boasts impressive Balinese architecture and gardens, some filled with installation art. Step inside, and you’ll enter a world of vivid paintings, intricate woodcarvings, rare textiles and all kinds of curios – some on sale strictly for serious collectors!

1. Blanco Renaissance Museum

This art museum is one of Ubud’s landmarks, located on a hilltop right near the iconic bridge of Campuhan, just a minute’s drive west of Ubud central. The Blanco Renaissance Museum is the house and studio of the late flamboyant Philippine-born maestro, Don Antonio Blanco and houses his paintings, collages and illustrated poetry, together with lithographic artworks of his favourite subject: nude Balinese women. If you’re not admiring the regal interiors and collection of nude art in the separate galleries inside, you can take in the impressive architecture, well-manicured gardens and lush settings outside. Tickets are only IDR 50,000 (USD 3.70)

2 Neka Art Museum

Neka Art Museum is one of Ubud’s pioneering art museums, established in 1976 by Balinese art lover Wayan Suteja Neka. On some occasions, you’ll probably bump into him on site during your visit, and he’ll even be happy to show you around his favourite collections. His museum houses a growing collection of classical Balinese paintings and sculptures displayed throughout six different Balinese-style pavilions. One of his must-see favourites comprises traditional Balinese ’kris’ daggers. Neka himself hails from a generation of the Balinese ’pande’ clan of smiths, who created such weapons. The other exhibits will keep you busy with their variations on Balinese paintings, with exhibits spanning classical to contemporary. Admissions are IDR 50,000 for adults and children under 12 enter free.

3 ARMA (Agung Rai Museum of Art)

The Agung Rai Museum of Art (often abbreviated as ‘ARMA’) is an art gallery, cultural centre and resort owned and founded by namesake Balinese entrepreneur and art collector, Anak Agung Gde Rai. The museum features two large main buildings filled with a large collection of artworks. The museum is located in Pengosekan, approximately 3km south of the main Ubud hub and 25km north of Denpasar. The collection spans notable works by late Indonesian artists Raden Saleh and Affandi, legendary painters Walter Spies, Rudolf Bonnet and Adrian Le Mayeur, and local Balinese masterpieces by maestro Nyoman Lempad.