Roots of Color: an exhibition of natural pigments and art

Elami and Ubud Open Studios are supporting this great exhibition from three regular Ubud Open Studios participants, Novi Tourisia, Made Griyawan and Fiona Caripis, who will also be joined by Rad Puspoyo.

Sika Gallery presents- Natural Matter: Roots of Color, an introduction to the process and place of natural colors and dyes in creative practice. Opening August 18th, 6pm.

Featuring

Rad Puspoyo (@rxddlxs)

Novieta Tourisia (@tourisia)

Made Griyawan (@madegriyawan)

Fiona Caripis (@kajimundo)

📅 August 18th, 6pm - daily until Sept 14th.

📍Location: Sika Gallery, Jl. Raya Campuhan, Sayan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 8057.

Supported by: @sikagallery @ubudopenstudios

@kajimundo @radstudios.shop

Get to Know: Fiona Caripis of Kajimundo

A convo with founder of Kajimundo, natural color and pigment explorer, and a bridge between the worlds of natural pigments and fine art.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and background

I'm from Melbourne, but have moved around since graduating from Tafe- I studied fashion design and patternmaking. I went to intern with a sustainable womenswear brand in London. That was probably the beginning of my looonnng journey learning about 'sustainability', and to figure out what I wanted to do. The fashion industry didn't really align with my values, which sucked because I thought that was the field I wanted to work in. After working a few different jobs in fashion, theatre, and galleries in UK and Australia, I ended up on Google looking up "fair trade jobs" (or something like that). I didn't find a job but did find (Nia and Ismoyo's) natural dye batik course at Threads of Life, Bali. That's how I ended up in Bali.

Have always wanted to ask: what’s behind the name?

The short story.... Kaji means knowledge in (old school I'm told) Bahasa Indonesia and Mundo means world. The name is about learning from the world and across cultures.

The long story...... John [Kajimundo co-founder] and I needed to pick a name, we already had the Kaji part, we were Kaji x (for collaboration at first). At the time, we were also really fresh, and still working out what the project would be, so wanted something that could be fun, catchy and work for potentially a range of projects we may be doing around sustainability and knowledge sharing. We were stuck at Cafe Vespa one day due to a massive rainy season downpour, and by the time we left we had Kaji Mundo. John spent a lot of time in his other life living in South America and is fluent in Spanish so that's how we ended up with the Mundo part.

What was your first experience with natural pigment?

I don't know how old I was but I recall sitting in the backyard at home digging at the dirt until I reached an orange clay, I'd scrape some out and smoosh it in my hand. I clearly remember sitting on the grass, and the feeling of digging my finger into the layers of soil and clay, dirt getting stuck under my nails.

What do artists think or tell you when they first hear about Kajimundo?

Artists specifically, I'm not sure. Leaning into the art world is quite a new direction for Kajimundo, but maybe they still think 'indigo paint' and that's a key association. I was so fixed on Kajimundo being textile/fashion focused for a really long time.

What’s your favorite pigment and why? (yes, you have to choose one)

Mean! I have to write two here, because indigo is too obvious. But indigo definitely still has my curiosity, just because it has such an incredible global history across traditional communities, and its unique molecular properties. Indigo is a colour that comes 'alive' in partnership with other matter, and I find that super interesting. I also love painting with extract from eucalyptus, it smells like home and connects me there.

What do you wish people knew about natural colors?

That they are special and carry stories, and exist in your garden and on the street, but they are not a resource for infinite extraction and industry scaling. (an opinion not fact).

The most FAQ about your work or practices?

‘Can I do a dye workshop with you?’ and ‘Can I wash your ink if I paint on fabric?’

Who are your natural pigment heroes?

Can I expand this to natural color heroes? Because I have to put Novi on here! [Dear reader, we have done a great interview with Novi of Cinta Bumi Artisans that also lives on our blog! Lucky you!]

As for other heroes, I came into exploring pigments in a pretty insular way, and have only really started to explore pigments in the last two years. Before that it was all about developing the textile binder and figuring out what to do with Kajimundo. However, some faves: @ines.katamso (I met her when I first started Kajimundo and it's so interesting to see her journey go from an interest into fully embodying pigments into her practice), @Ochre.Earth (Melissa Ladkin), Herman De Vreis (his earth rubbings and 2015 Biennale works have been an ongoing influence for me. I discovered his book "To Be Always" when I worked at the bookshop at National Gallery of Victoria)

Also, this is going to sound corny, but the ancestors I guess are the ultimate heroes, who explored and created, allowed for that knowledge to be passed down, and I guess the land itself. I learn from random articles about Aztec blue, history books, other artists, science papers (whatever is free online), YouTube, old textile books, and field trips to craftspeople around Bali. Oh, and people that have bought my ink/colours and write to me! I am always amazed to see how people use the colours, it's almost always so different, keeps me curious to explore more, and I am so happy when they share that the pigments have sparked some happiness and curiosity for them too.

Corporate gifts for attendees made in Bali

We love sourcing gifts for attendees, but this particular project was a lot of fun to help source with white-on-white cloth fans, white handmade truffles and Balinese origami animals for evening room drops.

We especially loved the request for handwoven Balinese origami dragonflies, butterflies and other flying animals. What a great gift to remind attendees of their Bali adventures.

5 events, 600 attendees, 100s of hands

For ten days we were part of a large incentive trip and supported 5 events, ranging from an intimate dinner, to ‘leave it all on the dance floor’ extravaganza. Huge thanks to the other companies that joined forces with us, from florists to sound and lighting experts traditional Balinese decor crews, photographers, calligraphers, weavers, furniture rental experts and more.

Below are 5 of our favorite photos and moments.

1// A chance to design on water: we created an evening surrounded by water at the Kempinksi Chapel and brought in denizens of lily ponds, including dragonflies and geese in flight. We had to battle the elements to make this one happen. Woven by Udianata. Photo by Arley Mardo.

2// Twin Dragons: Handwoven and peched on the edge of a cliff to guard over attendees. Why hold an event in Bali if not to work with the crazy skillfull craftspeople and culture of this island? Creations by Raka Dalem Bernat and Sri Melanting, hand-woven from leaves in the style of Balinese decor for ceremonies and events. Photo by Arley Mardo.

3// A black and gold art deco meets Bali tablescape: A chance to work again with Cosa Projects and to incorporate Balinese offering baskets, cloth and hair ornaments. Shout out to The Host Table for their tableware choices and amazing set up.

4// Lighting perfection: working with our favorite team of Focus Productions again to light every event perfectly, including this secret corner of a ballroom we revealed during dessert for a dance party, speakeasy style! And of course draping and curtain opening mechanics by The Host Table made it all possible. Backdrop by Sri Melanting.

5// A Balinese village by the seaside: we brought pieces of Bali to a welcome reception on the Kempinski lawn, including the photo backdrop featuring wayang (shadow puppet) chickens in traditional cages and Balinese floral motifs. Created by Sri Melanting.

The incredible skills used to make these pieces of art can only be appreciated when you see the process behind the creations. Below is short video featuring some of the behind-the-scenes footage during the 5 month long lead up to these events. Shot at Udyana Studio in Ubud, Bali.

Behind the design: Ubud Open Studios 2024

For the 3rd edition of Ubud Open Studios, we asked Bali-based illustrator damdampops to create a set of icons to represent all the different types of art and media found at Ubud Open Studios. The icons arrived to decorate the main hub at Titik Dua and also appeared on the official tote bag, t-shirt and catalogue.

Ubud Open Studios 2024 Wrap-up

What an incredible edition of Ubud Open Studios. Our third and the best to date! From the Studio Showcase and Artists Talks at Titik Dua, to the 57 studios who kindly opened their doors, to the 500 attendees who made their way studio hopping around Gianyar, it was an amazing three days.

Ubud Open Studios invites art lovers, cultural explorers, and the creatively curious to our annual celebration of art in Ubud, Bali. Behind every artwork is a story, a creative process—an artist’s journey.

This year, Ubud Open Studios showcased over 50 local and international artists’ studios, inviting you to enter their world of creativity and craftsmanship. A journey of artistic discovery & connection offering a glimpse into the sacred spaces where art comes to life. It's about community—an opportunity to connect, converse, and collect experiences and artworks that resonate.

Behind the design: Room4Dessert merchandise

We were excited to create a line of merchandise for Room4Dessert based on Chef Will Goldfarb’s recipe notes, written in the back of a copy of A Moveable Feast. The quick sketches, loops of the pen, and the English and French words that jumped out of the scribbles, like pamplemousse, chocolate milkshake, citron and creme brulee, made us fall in love.

We created a t-shirt, water bottle, apron, tea towel, notebook and shopping tote based on an image that appeared in Chef Will’s cookbook taken by Martin Westlake. All are available to buy at The Powder Room by Room4Dessert.

Present Space: an exhibition by Salvita De Corte and Naomi Samara

”I needed room. I needed room for the rivers and for the rain and for the way the almonds came into blossom..., room in which to play with everything I remembered and did not understand.”

—Joan Didion, Let Me Tell You What I Mean

In Present Space, Visual Artists Naomi Samara and Salvita De Corte seeks to delve into the intricate dynamics of our connections with the spaces we inhabit. Salvita and Naomi’s artworks captures the environment’s transformative power as a catalyst for moments of expression and profound connection. Both artists explore the ways in which a literal space can give the ultimate permission to express the non-conceptual.

Rather than a search for finite answers, their fluid and spontaneous figures and scenes narrate a journey toward unknown depths within a present moment. Through their drawings, sculptures and paintings, a sense of connection is conveyed, grounded in the spaces they occupy, and the bonds forged within them.

Exhibition Duration:

16th of December 2023 — 6th of January 2024

The Dinner Series: Present Space

We couldn’t let 2023 pass without The Dinner Series! This time we gathered to dine with Fed and Made Dhanu in the Titik Dua gallery surrounded by the artwork of Salvita de Corte and Naomi Samara. 19 guests joined us for a 5-course meal plated on Jenggala ceramics and a very special performance ended the evening. As always, the Dinner Series was hosted by co-founder Maya Kerthyasa.

We started the design of the dinner wanting a very minimalist and clean table to ensure the artwork of the Present Space exhibition remained the focus of the evening. We chose single white lotus blooms and white canvas cloth for the tables.

Place cards featured a Joan Didion quote used in the curator’s note of the exhibition written in white under the watercolor lettering of the guest’s name so you could faintly read the words.

Guests were invited to explore the exhibition before being seated.

The Fed menu was inspired by ingredients that were once common in Balinese dishes but are slowly disappearing due to the globalization of culinary arts. The local ingredients are slowly being forgotten. Some of the dishes are based on reminiscing about a childhood snack, a combination of Rujak Es and Rujak Cermai, resulting in the creation of cermai granita which was served with raw fish caught by local fisherman. The dessert also came from a home-cooked snack that Made’s grandma always made when salak was in season. The dishes were all plated on ceramics by Jenggala, a heritage Bali brand celebrating over 40 years of making incredible tableware.

The performance was presented by St Udyana, a youth group from Taman, Ubud. The dancers also played instruments and surrounded the guests with a story of knowledge and culture flowing like water and filling up all the spaces.

The final touch came from Salvita De Corte as she washed the white on white printed menus with watercolors to reveal the menu of the evening for attendees. A perfect final moment.

The opening of the new Threads of Life gallery in Lungsiakan

When the Threads of Life team came to us many moons ago and told us of their idea to open a new gallery, their first retail expansion in 22 years, we were overjoyed. When we saw it coming together we started to get excited. When we walked in through the doors the day it was officially completed, our jaws were on the ground.

To put together the opening event was an honor and we were so happy to see over 100 supporters and friends of the organization come into the space and make sure it was thoroughly warmed. The new gallery is truly magical and we’re looking forward to programming more events their in the future.

In the words of Threads of Life: The new education and retail space is devoted to the textile arts of Indonesia and is a culmination of 22 years of our work with 1000 weavers across 12 islands in Indonesia.

We will continue to operate our first gallery on Jalan Kajeng, in central Ubud, which opened in 2001. At that time we were working with only 14 natural dye traditional weavers on three islands: 12 from Lembata, one in Flores, and one in Sumba.

The new gallery now holds natural dye textiles, traditional basketry, and carvings from 12 islands of this remarkable archipelago, including Java, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Sumatra, Timor, Lembata, Sumba, Flores, Savu, and Rai Jua, Bali, and Nusa Penida.

On these walls and shelves is the work of more than 1200 women and craftspeople who are committed to carrying on the traditions of their mothers and grandmothers.

We hope visitors will take their time, open the specially made drawers one by one, and look closely at the art that often takes more than nine months to create—the complexity of the dye process requires a rich diversity of dye materials across a range of terrains and climates. Visitors can also watch the Tradition Keepers Documentary Series in the lounge area, or book a class or residency at the Threads of Life Natural Dye Studio.

Behind the design: Snakes and Ladders Ubud Folklore featuring Bagus Ari Maruta

Welcome to Snakes and Ladders: Ubud Folklore! Featuring original color-soaked artwork by Bagus Ari Maruta, a third generation Ubud artist, this game highlights Balinese symbols of safety and protection. The board features 10 coiled crowned snakes, guarded by a Bhoma looking down on the game as mythical Balinese birds peer up to watch over your progress.

“In my opinion, Snakes and Ladders is a game about life, where we try to achieve our expectations, like reaching the final square. In life there are ups and downs. That is not a sign to give up. You have to keep trying to achieve your expectations. In this Snake and Ladders, I took a Balinese icon we often see at the entrance to a house or to a temple. These carved stone guardians (Bhoma, dragons and mythical birds) symbolize safety or protection from evil and malevolent spirits.”

About the Artist:

Bagus Maruta is part of a new generation of Balinese artists. He was born in the hub of Ubud, which earned its reputation as the epicenter of Balinese art by the close of the 20th century. Maruta is a third-generation artist, traditionally trained by mentors and then at the Indonesian Art Institute. His artwork, characterized by vivid and exuberant colors, serves as a canvas for the meeting of diverse influences. Bagus Maruta's artistic creation is an Ubud Snakes and Ladders game that bears the unmistakable mark of his artistic expression.

About the lore:

In Balinese mythology, Bhoma is the son of Dewa Wisnu and Dewi Pertiwi, the god of rain and the goddess of earth. One day, when Wisnu was digging the earth in the form of Varaha, his avatar in the form of a wild boar, he encountered a beautiful earth goddess named Dewi Pertiwi. The encounter leads to a union (and torrents of stormy rainwater entering the earth) between Wisnu and Pertiwi producing a terrifying son named Bhoma. The figure of Bhoma that was produced by this union is seen as the growth of vegetation or forest (Vanaspati) as a result of the earth receiving the rain water. The word Bhoma came from the Sanskrit word bhaumá, which means something that grows or is born from earth.

The head of Bhoma can be found carved at temple gatez which marks the entrance to the holiest part of the shrine and at the base of the padmasana, the holiest and most central shrine in Balinese temples. The head of Bhoma is also seen in the Balinese cremation towers.

About the games:

This is part of a series of Bali games by Toko Elami. Each of the games features originally commissioned artwork from a Bali-based artist. Through the artwork, the artists explore different aspects of Balinese culture and life through their eyes. Living in Bali surrounded by Balinese myths and symbols, we've always been aware of the stories behind each one of them. We wanted to create unique products that capture the imagination for both kids and adults alike, while promoting cultural and traditional motifs to sustain Balinese heritage.

Room4Dessert Academy 2023

The Room4Dessert Academy is an incredible initiative from Chef Will Goldfarb and the R4D team to share their knowledge, techniques, and recipes with students from around the world. This year has had four Pastry Intensives. We’re proud to provide behind-the-scenes support for the Academy, including managing registration, student liaison, design support for learning materials and excursions.

Photo by nyimas laulA

Photo by Nyimas laulA

In the words of Chef Will: The R4D Academy has been sharing the vision of restoring community through food for three years now. Following in the footsteps of its big sister Room4Dessert, the Academy has grown from a pastry only program, to include classes in all areas, from Zero Waste Cooking, to Miyawaki Forest Design, to Rustic Urban Thai, featuring our friends and experts from all over the world. At the same time, we don’t forget where we came from and what we know, which is to make great desserts and share our methods with the world.

With that in mind, we are proud to present our fourth edition of Pastry Intensives, focusing on the key techniques that make R4D a mecca for not only dessert, but culinary enthusiasts from across the globe. Starting in September, a week long feature on Ice Cream and Frozen Treats, is complemented by inside info on Creams and Mousses. We will walk you through all the steps to be able to make the best desserts in the world, right in your own home or restaurant. Designed for students of all levels, each class will drill down on the fundamentals and include insight into the ingredients, techniques and delivery of R4D’s iconic dishes.

Next up, in October, we are Cooking with Fire, and sharing the secrets of our Sauces, Gelees and Tropical Fruit cookery. November rain brings Fun with Cakes and Doughs. And December we present Great Garnishes and Finishing Touches. Pass through all four and you will have completed a Master’s in plated dessert making.

Each week this autumn, features a trip to a different producer - the backbone of the R4D universe. From salt making to cocoa plantations, our favourite Balinese artisans and craftspeople have got you covered. Step into our world. You will never see dessert in the same way again.

The excursions have taken us to some incredible spaces and places, diving deep into Balinese produce, the relationships between clay and food, farmer and chef, makers and consumers.

Art & Sugar: events at Powder Room by Room4Dessert

Celebrating creativity in all its forms. We’ve been programming at the beautiful Powder Room for half a year now and love watching the relationships grow between different artists, attendees and the host. No matter what activity or art form it always ends with a sweet treat from The Powder Room ovens.

One of our favorite moments of magic was when Art Toy master Uncle Twis held a workshop at Powder Room and reimagined the Red Choux and Bombolini.

We then jumped into the world of plant parents with a Plant Swap and Houseplant Workshop led by Thousands Bloom. The incredible garden team of Room4Dessert brought some of their precious babies to swap with attendees too.

Gusti Dalem x Powder Room: Afternoon Tea #005

The fifth afternoon tea at Powder Room by Room4Dessert was an afternoon covered in clay! The front room of Powder Room was transformed into a ceramics studio complete with two wheels! The teacher was Gusti Dalem, a young Balinese ceramic artist from Gianyar.

As always, the class ended with an amazing afternoon tea, including the famous papaya jamon sandwiches and mini bomboloni.

Who is Gusti?

Gusti began his ceramics practice at the age of 16, initially based on the advice of his parents who had already mastered the art of Balinese pottery. Gusti says ceramics is interesting because the process is very dependent on the emotional control of the creator.

He began actively conducting experiments on raw materials found in Balinese nature that can be used as glazes, including research on Balinese sand formulations.

His ceramic works highlight the fragile character and the character of Balinese clay as a whole. His ceramics studio is open to the public year round and offers regular classes.