Weaves of the Spirit, Patterns of the Everyday

It is said that inhabitants of Bali, living among stunning natural beauty and rich folklore, are blessed with a natural artistic talent, and the vast majority of the island’s painters are self-taught… The exhibition Weaves of the Spirit, Patterns of the Everyday. Balinese Art in the Collection of Krzysztof Musiał at the Manggha Museum (from 8 June) presents artworks from the Indonesian island, famous for its dazzling customs, revealing their sacral, ritual and secular dimensions. We will see paintings and sculptures recalling early Indian epic poems, Hindu gods and goddesses and local ceremonies. An important role in Balinese customs is played by fabrics used during various rituals, as well as equally beautiful (yet lacking magical powers) silks and brocades worn by men and women, marking their owners’ social status. Lives of the islanders are depicted in paintings and everyday objects as well as drawings dating back to the 1930s collected by the acclaimed scholar of the Oceania Margaret Mead. A curiosity is figurines of people and animals, dating back to the same period and made by unknown authors, inspired by European art deco. (Dorota Dziunikowska, “Karnet” monthly)