If you are interested in the development of Balinese painting, you will have heard of Arie Smit (15 April 1916 – 23 March 2016). He was a Dutch-born artist who spent much of his long life in Bali, and was influential in the founding of the “Young Artist” school of painting in the early in 1960s. Arie Smit became an Indonesian citizen in 1951, when the new nation was still in its infancy. In honor of his dedication and love for Bali and its culture and landscape, a special building named the Arie Smit Pavilion was opened at the Neka Art Museum in 1994.

The Arie Smit Pavilion, a two-story building, displays the work of Arie Smit and contemporary Balinese artists. The ground floor is devoted a collection of Young Artist works, while the upper floor shows Arie Smit’s paintings with their diverse styles and themes. His subject was the beauty of Bali, particularly in landscapes, colorful tropical gardens, and beautiful temples that evoke a sense of wonder. In 1993, he was awarded the Dharma Kusuma Art Award.

The Neka Art Museum is on Jalan Raya Sanggingan, Ubud, about 10 minutes’ drive from Komaneka at Bisma. Let’s make a visit there!