I Wayan Sika

I Wayan Sika 
(Bali, 1949 – 2020)

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I Wayan Sika was a painter, educator, and curator of contemporary art from Gianyar, Bali. He played a key role in the development of modern Balinese art. His art education began at the Sekolah Seni Rupa Indonesia (SSRI) in Bali and continued at the Akademi Seni Rupa Indonesia (ASRI), now known as ISI Yogyakarta. In 1970, together with a group of peers, he co-founded Sanggar Dewata Indonesia, an artist collective that brought a fresh new spirit to Indonesian art—especially in Bali.

After completing his studies, Sika returned to Bali and started a furniture design business. He also had the chance to work internationally. Between 1982–1983, he was sent by the Indonesian government to New Zealand to create furniture for the Indonesian Embassy. Later, from 1986–1987, he lived in Basel, Switzerland. In 1989, the Basel Museum commissioned him to create a Barong figure and hold a solo exhibition there.

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In 1996, Sika established SIKA Contemporary Art Gallery in Ubud, Bali—an independent art space that became an important platform for young artists and contemporary art exhibitions. As both a curator and educator, he was known for his deep commitment to supporting and mentoring the local art community.

Sika’s artworks are spiritual and intuitive, often featuring symbolic elements like Sanskrit mantras, Tibetan ritual flags, Hindu figures, and lotus flowers, with gold and white being dominant colors. According to art critics, his paintings—especially those from 2004 to 2011—are large in scale (around 2 x 3 meters), highly detailed, and filled with spiritual depth and a sense of calm.

His work has been exhibited in various countries including Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, and Australia, and is part of prestigious collections such as the National Museum of Indonesia.
I Wayan Sika passed away in 2020, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Balinese and Indonesian art—not only through his paintings but also through his dedication to building a strong, sustainable art community.

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