I Wayan Danu
I Wayan Danu, born in Tabanan, Bali on February 25, 1972, is a visual artist who completed his undergraduate degree in Fine Art, majoring in Painting, at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta in 2002. In his creative practice, Danu seeks to approach the language of thought with honesty, allowing ideas to flow freely without imposing rigid boundaries on the creative process.
Danu's works emerge from a spontaneous engagement with his surroundings. He utilizes found materials—wood, bones, stones, plastic, and various other discarded objects—as his primary media. These materials are recontextualized through a process that is both intuitive and insightful. He likens these found elements to fragments of a puzzle, which he assembles through his distinct vision into new configurations that carry altered or layered meanings. In his hands, unrelated objects are transformed into cohesive sculptural forms, each imbued with conceptual resonance.
His approach is rooted in playfulness, improvisation, and a deep attentiveness to the overlooked or discarded. Rather than conforming to conventional methods, Danu treats his art-making as an open and evolving conversation between material, memory, and momentary inspiration.
Danu has participated in several group exhibitions, including Let It Go, Let It Flow at Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta (2015) and Urip Mung Mampir Ngombe at Langit Art Space, Yogyakarta. Earlier in his academic career, he received notable accolades: Best Watercolor Painting from the Faculty of Fine Arts at ISI Yogyakarta in 1994 and Best Oil Painting in 1995.
Owl, 2013 (1)
50 x 40 cm
Mixed media
Serigala Putih (White Wolf), 2025 (2)
Diameter 45cm
Mixed Media
Danu's works emerge from a spontaneous engagement with his surroundings. He utilizes found materials—wood, bones, stones, plastic, and various other discarded objects—as his primary media. These materials are recontextualized through a process that is both intuitive and insightful. He likens these found elements to fragments of a puzzle, which he assembles through his distinct vision into new configurations that carry altered or layered meanings. In his hands, unrelated objects are transformed into cohesive sculptural forms, each imbued with conceptual resonance.
His approach is rooted in playfulness, improvisation, and a deep attentiveness to the overlooked or discarded. Rather than conforming to conventional methods, Danu treats his art-making as an open and evolving conversation between material, memory, and momentary inspiration.
(1)
(2)
Timeline
1994 - 2004
Sanggar Dewata Indonesia, Museum Nyoman Gunarsa, Klungkung, Bali
Open Air di Candi Borobudur – Central Java
Lustrum ISI / Mc Donald’s Award at Purna Budaya, Yogyakarta
Kelompok Parisadha ’93 at Bentara Budaya, Yogyakarta
Hitam Putih Kelompok Parisadha ’93 at Show Room FSR ISI Yogyakarta
Dies Natalis ISI Yogyakarta at Kampus FSR ISI Yogyakarta
Sanggar Dewata Indonesia, Museum Nyoman Gunarsa, Papringan Yogyakarta
“ Kecil “ Kelompok Prasidha ’93, Sasana Aji Yasa, FSR ISI Yogyakarta
25 Tahun Sanggar Dewata Indonesia, Purna Budaya, Yogyakarta
Kelompok 7 “ Bali Image “, Sika Gallery, Ubud Bali
Sanggar Dewata Indonesia, Sika Gallery, Ubud Bali
Festival Kesenian Yogyakarta, Museum Benteng Vredeburg, Yogyakarta
Sanggar Dewata Indonesia, Taman Budaya, Surakarta- Jawa Tengah
Dialog Dua Kota I, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta
Dialog Dua Kota II, Purna Budaya, Yogyakarta
Dies Natalis ISI Yogyakarta, Gallery ISI Yogyakarta
Group exhibition Kelompok Lempuyang, Karangasem Bali
Festival Kesenian Indonesia, Museum Benteng Vredeburg, Yogyakarta
Sanggar Dewata Indonesia, Museum Benteng Vredeburg, Yogyakarta
Affandi Prize, Gallery ISI Yogyakarta
“ Kolaborasi Dua Gaya “, Sika Gallery, Ubud Bali
“Ragam Bahasa Pelukis Muda “, Edwin Gallery Tuban Plaza, Bali
Kelompok Prasidha ’93, Museum Benteng Vredeburg, Yogyakarta
Dewata Indonesia “ Millenium Arts Exhibitation ", 6 Gallery, Bali
“ Pergi Dari Empat Persegi “, Santi Gallery , Jakarta
Reuni Keluarga Singojayan”, Museum Benteng Vredeburg, Yogyakarta
Sanggar Dewata Indonesia, Gallery Nasional, Jakarta
“Bali Focus Plus”, Santi Gallery, Jakarta
“ Imajinasi Liar “, Gallery Langgeng, Magelang – Central Java
Pelukis Muda di October Gallery, Yogyakarta
“ Opera “, Gallery Langgeng, Magelang, Central Java
Sanggar Dewata Indonesia di Gedung Societed Militer, Yogyakarta
Drawing di Sekretariat Sanggar Dewata Indonesia, Madukismo Yogyakarta
“From The Inner Self “, Taman Budaya Art Centre Denpasar, Bali
Drawing “ Harmony “, Gallery Rare Angon, Sanur Bali
2005 - present
“Bali Temptation” di Gallery Langgeng, Magelang- Central Java
"Bali Baru” di Gallery Arti poli, Belanda
Pameran “ Sanur Village Festival”, Ten Fine Art, Sanur Bali
Pameran Seni Visual “TEKSTUR dalam LUKISAN”, Jogja Gallery – Yogyakarta
Sanggar Dewat Indonesia “SDI NOW”, Tonyraka Gallery, Ubud – Bali
Pameran Seni Rupa “Hitam Putih” Kelompok Djagoer, Ten Fine Art Gallery, Sanur – Bali
Seni Rupa “Jogja Expo Sign”, gedung Jogja Expo, Bantul - Yogyakarta
Sanggar Dewata “ Bali And Beyond ’’, Bentara Budaya - Bali
Corner kick di Tanah Tho Art Gallery, Ubud – Bali
Group exhibition djagoer “TRY OUT”, Sangkring Art Project gallery -Yogyakarta
Internatonal Art Show “PaletaFEST’ di Varazdin – Croatia
Solo exhibition ‘’Celotah celoteh bahasa pikiran’’ di Galery Sangkring Art Proroject - Yogyakarta
‘’ LET IT GO, LET IT FLOW’’, Bentara Budaya, Yogyakarta
“Urip Mung Mampir Ngombe’’, Langit art Space- Yogyakarta
“ Seni Rupa 12”, Sika Galery-Ubud- Bali
“MASTRY “ SDI + Artvoice (Malaysia) di Tonyraka Art Galeri -Ubud _Bali
Awards:
1994 : Best Watercolor Painting Award from FSR ISI Yogyakarta
1995 : Best Oil Painting Award from FSR ISI Yogyakarta