Nyoman Darmawan
Nyoman Darmawan was born in 1984 in Pengosekan, Ubud—a village deeply rooted in the tradition of painting, particularly in the classical Balinese style. Growing up in an environment steeped in artistic practice, Nyoman was shaped by the influence of his grandfather and father, both traditional painters from Pengosekan. His father, I Ketut Gelgel, was his first teacher, and later, Nyoman studied under the guidance of the renowned senior artist I Gusti Ketut Kobot. Under the mentorship of his father and teacher, Nyoman’s work evolved significantly, developing a distinctive artistic language that foregrounds eroticism interwoven with intimate narratives from his own life. The erotic forms in his work reflect a deeper exploration of the human condition—love, hatred, life, and death.
Driven by a strong belief that art serves as a medium for personal expression and self-documentation, Darmawan masterfully captures and reflects his own lived experiences: the challenges, trials, obstacles overcome, and the milestones achieved. His work fosters a universal connection—cultivating empathy and compassion—not only between himself, his art, and his personal history, but also with others and the world at large.
His works have been exhibited in numerous events both within Bali and beyond. His most recent solo exhibition, Liku, Laku – Cosmic Pavement of Nyoman Darmawan, was held by Nonfrasa Gallery in 2023. In collaboration with Nonfrasa, he has also participated in exhibitions outside of Bali, including in Jakarta and Yogyakarta.
Today, Nyoman’s children are following in his artistic footsteps. Putu Kiti Mulia Dewi, Kadek Agustina, and Komang Ayu Diah Purnamadewi have each shown a deep passion for the arts. Currently pursuing their education in various art institutions, the three are preparing to carry on Nyoman’s legacy—continuing his story through line and color in the unfolding chapters of their own lives.
Percakapan Panjang, 2025 (1)
40 x 40 cm
Chinese ink on canvas
Merasakan Lebih Dalam, 2025 (2)
90 x 60 cm
Chinese ink on canvas
Hanya Aku, 2025 (3)
90 x 60 cm
Chinese ink on canvas
(1)
The years 2024 to 2025 mark a contemplative chapter in Nyoman Darmawan’s artistic journey, as he revisits the subtleties of his past through the lens of personal growth. This new body of work reflects a conscious distillation of earlier impulses, moving away from visual chaos toward a clarity rooted in simplicity. His focus now gravitates toward liminal spaces—those peripheral zones surrounding central forms—inviting a profound sense of emptiness that speaks across emotional, psychological, and philosophical dimensions.
The paintings unfold as narratives of internal conflict, articulating the turbulent phases Darmawan has endured. Dark uncertainties, idiosyncratic indulgences, and unresolved tensions surface on the canvas, embodied in objects that act as physical manifestations of mental weight. What emerges is a near-ritualistic celebration of contradiction, reflecting his search for equilibrium amidst transitions in personal identity, familial responsibility, and the joy of new life.
These compositions probe the complex dialogue between material reality and interior experience. Formally, they transition from dense foregrounds into expansive, open backgrounds, suggesting the multidimensional nature of consciousness. Rendered almost entirely in black and white, the works evoke a stark, monastic atmosphere. This chromatic austerity intensifies a sense of discomfort and uncertainty, capturing the fragile tension between solace and anxiety—the space of anticipated uncertainty.
Yet within this restrained and paradoxical energy, Darmawan remains loyal to his signature metaphorical language. Human relationships continue to function as central motifs, offering symbolic structure and emotional depth. Rather than offering resolution, the works invite deep introspection into the contradictions of the human condition—reflecting vulnerability, presence, and the shifting weight of existence.
(2)
(3)
Timeline
2008
Education: Fine Arts, Institut Seni Indonesia, Bali – Indonesia
2010
Exhibition:
Bazaar Art Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
2011
Bazaar Art Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
Santrian Art Gallery, Bali, Indonesia
2024
Repurposing: Paradise, Amandari, Bali, Indonesia
Common Beauty II, Nonfrasa Gallery, Bali, Indonesia
2014
Hitam Putih Art Space, Bali, Indonesia
Museum Puri Lukisan, Bali, Indonesia
2014
Museum Puri Lukisan, Bali, Indonesia
2017
Played on Paper, Kaktus Art Space, Bali, Indonesia
2019
Played on Paper, Kaktus Art Space, Bali, Indonesia
Fantasi with Nyoman Suarnata, Restu Bumi Gallery, Bali, Indonesia
2022
Common Beauty, Nonfrasa Gallery, Bali, Indonesia
2023
Solo exhibition: Liku, Laku – Cosmic Pavement of Nyoman Darmawan
POWER, Kala Karya, Jakarta, Indonesia
RUINS, Nonfrasa Gallery, Bali, Indonesia
2025
JAF Chapter Jogja x GIK UGM, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
After Ruins, Nonfrasa Gallery, Bali, Indonesia
Arung, Can’s Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia