We’ve been honored to work with Made Griyawan over the last year. Pak Made is part of a long lineage of Batuan artists and brings a fresh style to the tradition. We got to know him when worked with him for an exhibition of his work at John Hardy Jewelry in Seminyak and find ourselves captivated by his world view, how he sees his art, and how he’s working to pass his knowledge down to the next generation. We’ve also worked with him to create the second edition of our reimagined Bali Snakes and Ladders- launching in late 2020.

We sat down with him to ask him a few questions and, as always, felt grateful that we are able to sit and listen to his thoughts on art, life and 2020.

All photo credits to Suki Zoe.

When did you start drawing? What was your first one?

I started when I was 7 years old. I used to like to watch Bapak (Note: Made Griyawan’s father is I Wayan Taweng, part of the renowned first generation of Batuan artists) paint. At that time, I took the rest of the paper and drew my first sketch, a leaf, with pencil. I was persistent so Bapak started to give me the whole piece of paper. He said to me, ”Draw whatever you can without copying me.” He was my only reference, so that was hard for me. But I followed what he said and tried to draw anything that came across my mind or that surrounded me.

When I was a child, we used a palm stick dipped in the ink as a paintbrush. Actual paintbrushes were so special. I was happy when Bapak allowed me to use a paintbrush when I was in junior high school. Before that, I was just practicing my sketching and drawing. Although my siblings and I sometimes secretly picked up a brush (if we were lucky) and used it- I still remember how Bapak was mad if he found out.

So I began to paint. Bapak paid attention to my patterns when I was painting. I tended to not finish a painting and start a new one. So he said to me, ”de kutang-kutangan megae, selesaikan apapun hasilnya. Mau nanti tidak suka, terima saja dulu” - don’t stop work halfway. Always finish what you do and accept whatever the result will be. I kept painting even though I never dreamt to be a painter.

Back then, I was an active member of the volleyball team. I made it into the top high school through my volleyball accomplishments. I was so persistent and I got to represent Bali in the national tournament. However, I always painted. Even though I never thought about wanting to be a painter.

After I graduated from high school in 1997, I worked as a driver based in Monkey Forest. In the downtime between tours, I made time to paint. I still competed in the volleyball tournaments.

10 years later, after my marriage, I quit volleyball and focused on working as a transportation service provider. Still, I was painting for my own pleasure.

Then we had Gangga, my daughter, the following year. My wife and I were working and we thought one of us should quit our job to take care of her. I knew that my wife was happy with what she does. With the system we have, I didn’t think it would be easy for her to return to the job if she took the time off. I saw so many women lose that opportunity, either after they gave birth or resigning for some time. So I quit my job and managed the household. In those times, I painted to pass the time. I never had the idea to sell my paintings. Until one day, a foundation from Singapore came to Batuan to run an art program preserving Batuan paintings. They came and curated some of Batuan paintings from our villages. My painting was one of the chosen. Since then, the universe works the way it works.

What is your inspiration? What kind of conditions/situations inspire you?

My father's collection, always.

Back in 2009, I had a question. What should I paint so they can live long like the Mahabharata legend? I think I started painting my wondering on canvas. Be it questions, reflections, or current wisdom. Because then people who look at my paintings said that my paintings are philosophical. They project life purpose, self-development, and selfhood.

I also paint every morning, right after I get up from bed. From 6AM to 11AM, I can bear to sit and paint the whole time. After is my free time. Sometimes, I also paint at night. But often only for making sketches.

I always remember the concept of Tri Murti: Brahma, Wisnu and Siwa, who are responsible for creating, taking care of, and destroying. When I am painting, I am the Brahma. When it’s done, I take the role of Wisnu. I learn to not become attached to my paintings even though part of myself is always in my paintings. So when they’re gone, that is the time when I’m ready to make the new ones.

So, before the painting knows its next journey, I take care of it.

Do you know where the most inspirational place is?

Toilet! (excitedly spoken like an eureka moment).

Beneran (really).

Toilets are sacred!

What is your favorite fable?

Dongeng Tantri or Tantri’s tales.

Naughty monkeys, stories about nature, fishes, elephants, water… I really like them.

Tantri is a daughter of Patih who was married to a King. The king likes to sleep around with women everyday. Putri Diah Tantri doesn’t like his character. So she always tells the king different stories every night before intercourse. The king enjoys the stories and is too tired after to sleep with her. That continues to 1001 stories, until the day the king died.

What does your down time look like?

Going to the beach alone. I really like Pantai Pabean in Ketewel. I go there almost every afternoon. I always feel like I have a connection with that beach. Later, I found out that it holds a lot of Balinese history. It is the place where the Gajahmada expedition started. Perhaps - in the seventh century, I’m not sure - the beach also used to be a major trading port in Bali.

Can you tell us about the children learning painting in Batuan?

Since the pandemic, this program has been stopped. We used to have 2 sessions on Sundays with a maximum of 25 children per class. But then we reorganized around 2 months ago and applied the social distancing protocol. Now, we only allow a maximum of 10 children and only organize one session on Sundays. I’m glad to know that they miss painting together and enthusiastically return to the class.

I remember we built this community back in 2018 to introduce painting tradition across generations. We want them to see and know. If some wanted to practice more, we are here to teach. If some didn’t enjoy the class, we don’t force them. It is their will. This community has grown and not just in my Banjar now. There are some children from other villages too like Ketewel, Saba and Ubud. I love to be with them and see their spirit.

Why do you paint? And we also know that you like to paint on different media as well.

To paint is a calling. I really enjoy the painting process.

I also enjoy experimenting. I paint on dried maja (a type of fruit which belongs to the rutaceae family. It is known for its bitterness and inspired the naming of Majapahit), unique shapes of wood I found on the beach, plant pots. I like the challenge of finding a way for the paint to stay on certain surfaces. I think we artists should not limit ourselves since our achievement is freedom itself. Some people say that my experiments are not Batuan style. It’s ok with me. I don’t need to secure a prestigious label. I like doing it. I play with a lot of natural dye lately.

How do you see the development of Batuan style?

I see it is harmoniously growing. The Batuan artwork from the 1930s tended to have dark shades. A lot of them are one object exposed in the middle with the black color blocking the background. I think this certain style was affected by that time’s perspective and rare painting materials- we used to paint with self-made charcoal.

Talking about Batuan as the community and style, in my opinion, it is actually Bali tradition that lives in Batuan. But we call it Batuan style. Now, for me, we can call it contemporary. The objects and materials are shifting. For me, tradition should follow the age. There’s an expression in Balinese called Desa Kalapatra: Desa is area, Kala is time, and Patra is material. It means humans need to adjust to what's served/available here and now. Value is not measured from the material or the theme, but in our sense of the work process itself.

When I am painting, I always look at it as yadnya or an offering to God who lives inside me. Do what you can and give the best.

Have faith in the process. I believe every artwork will have its own destiny. They have their own journeys.

In the future, I want to see the Batuan community be sustainable. The painting process of the Batuan tradition contains ethics and character development that should be maintained. I find my self-discovery through painting. I also see some children who were unmanageable become more relaxed, aware, and calm. I think the painting process is really important for identity development.

What question do you think people should ask? That people won’t know to ask, but need to know the answer to.

How can I survive?

Many people ask me that question and are curious about how I face the pandemic. Especially because many people have financial difficulties. In this reality, I keep working without thinking about how it will turn out. I see the pandemic teaches us about crises. Even I haven’t found a way to make peace with myself in this condition. So that’s why I think we need to create our own harmony. For me, I have been working from home for years, so there’s no significant change in my daily habit. Instead, I use this time to stop, breathe, and look inward.

My wife works as a nurse at Bali Royal Hospital, Denpasar. Luckily it is not the main referral hospital for COVID-19 patients. Although we will never know what will happen. My wife and I just do what we can to keep ourselves healthy, mind and body. So in the meantime, dwelling in frustration too much is a waste of time. Instead, calm is necessary and we keep doing what we can do according to our respective roles.

I have been asking to hold online workshops, but I don’t have good devices to support it. I don’t want to force it. Actually, I feel so grateful I can spend more time with my family. This pandemic situation makes me think about the father and mother definitions as well. For me now, a mother is someone who loves and a father is someone who protects. Regardless of gender. These masculine and feminine energies are complementary.