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i Ketut Sadia

I Ketut Sadia

Senior Artist | Advisor
Baturulangun Batuan Artist Association

Artist Statement

For me, painting is an honest search for identity within the traditional-contemporary corridor. I grew up under the strict guidance of my father, I Wayan Taweng, who taught me the fundamental techniques of painting but strictly forbade me from mimicking his style. He equipped me with the Nyawi and Ngabur techniques but forced me to find my own visual language.

The hallmark of my work lies in the presentation of humor and satire amidst dense narratives. I believe that art has the power to soften even the darkest atmospheres.

Through my canvases, I also strive to record world history, from key national (Indonesia) and international events, tragedies and even political commentaries. Every award I receive is a validation that the Batuan tradition is a flexible identity—one that can joke with the times without ever losing its spiritual and technical roots.

Bagi saya, melukis adalah pencarian yang jujur akan identitas di antara ruang tradisi dan kontemporer. Saya tumbuh di bawah bimbingan disiplin ayah saya, I Wayan Taweng, yang mengajarkan dasar-dasar teknik melukis, namun dengan tegas melarang saya meniru gayanya. Ia membekali saya dengan teknik nyawi dan ngabur, tetapi sekaligus menuntut saya untuk menemukan bahasa visual saya sendiri.

Ciri khas karya saya terletak pada kehadiran humor dan satire di tengah narasi yang padat. Saya percaya bahwa seni memiliki kemampuan untuk melunakkan suasana, bahkan yang paling gelap sekalipun. Melalui kanvas-kanvas saya, saya juga berupaya merekam peristiwa sejarah dunia—baik peristiwa penting nasional maupun internasional, tragedi, hingga komentar sosial dan politik. Setiap penghargaan yang saya terima menjadi penegasan bahwa tradisi Batuan adalah identitas yang lentur—mampu berdialog dan bahkan bercanda dengan zamannya, tanpa kehilangan akar spiritual dan teknisnya.

Artist Biography

I Ketut Sadia was born in Banjar Pekandelan, Batuan, on January 20, 1966. He is the eighth child of the legendary maestro I Wayan Taweng and the younger brother of the renowned painter I Wayan Bendi. Sadia's artistic lineage is deeply rooted as a descendant of Sri Arya Bali Karangbuncing, the lineage that produced the legendary warrior Kebo Iwa, adding a dimension of steadfastness and "ksatria" (warrior) character to his work. Although he studied law for five semesters at Warmadewa University, Sadia ultimately chose to dedicate his life entirely to the world of painting, a craft he has pursued since the age of nine.

As a traditional-contemporary painter, Sadia is recognized for his extraordinary artistic intuition in capturing history as it becomes history and sometimes even beforehand. Phenomenal proof of his vision is his painting of the 2014 FIFA World Cup final between Germany and Argentina, which he completed even before finals were reached. He also famously painted the theme of Monas (the National Monument) moving to Kalimantan years before the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) discourse became a public reality.

Sadia's works have traveled to esteemed art institutions, such as the Singapore Art Museum, Fukuoka Art Museum (Japan), and Museopalvelut in Helsinki (Finland). In addition to being part of the permanent collection at ARMA Museum, his paintings regularly appear in prestigious international auction houses such as Artnet and Larasati. His professional career is bolstered by high-level accolades, including the Wija Kusuma Award (2025) from the Gianyar Regency Government, Best Painting at the 2008 Jakarta Art Awards, and being a consistent finalist in the UOB Painting of the Year.

Beyond the canvas, he serves as the second chairman of the Perkumpulan Pelukis Baturulangun Batuan, where he mentors the younger generation to preserve the authentic Batuan style.

I Ketut Sadia lahir di Banjar Pekandelan, Batuan, pada 20 Januari 1966. Ia merupakan anak ke-8 dari maestro legendaris I Wayan Taweng dan adik dari pelukis ternama I Wayan Bendi. Garis keseniannya berakar kuat sebagai keturunan Sri Arya Bali Karangbuncing—trah yang melahirkan sosok legendaris Kebo Iwa—yang menghadirkan dimensi keteguhan dan karakter ksatria dalam karya-karyanya. Meski sempat menempuh studi hukum selama lima semester di Universitas Warmadewa, Sadia akhirnya memilih mengabdikan hidupnya secara penuh pada dunia seni lukis, jalan yang telah ia tekuni sejak usia sembilan tahun.

Sebagai pelukis tradisi-kontemporer, Sadia dikenal memiliki intuisi artistik yang tajam dalam menangkap momen saat berlangsungnya sebuah sejarah—bahkan terkadang sebelum sejarah itu terjadi. Bukti paling fenomenal dari visinya adalah lukisan final Piala Dunia FIFA 2014 antara Jerman dan Argentina, yang telah ia rampungkan bahkan sebelum babak final benar-benar terwujud. Ia juga pernah melukis tema Monas yang “berpindah” ke Kalimantan jauh sebelum wacana Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN) menjadi kenyataan publik.

Karya-karya Sadia telah menjangkau berbagai institusi seni bergengsi seperti Singapore Art Museum, Fukuoka Art Museum (Jepang), dan Museopalvelut di Helsinki (Finlandia). Selain menjadi bagian dari koleksi permanen Museum ARMA, lukisan-lukisannya juga kerap tampil di rumah lelang internasional seperti Artnet dan Larasati. Karier profesionalnya diperkuat oleh sejumlah penghargaan bergengsi, antara lain Wija Kusuma Award (2025) dari Pemerintah Kabupaten Gianyar, Best Painting pada Jakarta Art Awards 2008, serta secara konsisten menjadi finalis UOB Painting of the Year.

Di luar praktik melukis, ia juga pernah mengemban peran sebagai Ketua yang ke-2 pada Perkumpulan Pelukis Baturulangun Batuan, membimbing generasi muda untuk tetap menjaga keaslian dan ruh gaya Batuan.

Style: Traditional Balinese, Batuan Style - Intangible Cultural Heritage of Indonesia

Mediums: Chinese Ink & Acrylic

Exhibitions

1985 - 2nd Asian Art Show, Fukuoka Art Museum Jepang
2008 - Jakarta Art Award Nominee
2008 - Penghargaan Lukisan Terbaik dalam Jakarta Award
2008 - Pesta Puri Gurauom Batuan, Keajaiban Kliki (Gedung CSIS, Jakarta)
2009 - Pita Prada ( The Golden Creativity)
2009 - Siyu Taksu
2009 - Biennale Seni Lukis Tradisiomal Bali #1
2010 - Jakarta Art Award Nominee
2010 - Kehadiran Kembali (Tangkas Galeri)
2011 - Titik Magis (Galeri Nasional Indonesia)
2011 - UOB (Painting of The Year Competition) Finalis
2012 - Tempereen Kaupungin Museopalvelut Filandia
2012 - UOB (Painting of The Year Competition) Finalis
2012 - Bali Maha Sani (The Equisite Bali)
2012 - Museum Batuan
2012 - Jakarta Art Award Nominee
2012 - Museum Arma Bali
2013 - Balinese Painting Exhibition (Museum Puri Lukisan)
2013 - UOB (Painting of The Year Competition) Finalis.
2014 - UOB (Painting of The Year Competition) Finalis.
2014 - Jakarta Art Award Nominee.
2015 - The Paintings of Batuan “WOW” (Museum Puri Lukisan)
2015 - Pameran Bersama “Saraswati” Konsulat Indonesia di New York dan Washington DC, U.S.A
2016 - Balinese Traditional Contemporary Painting Keliki Batuan (Galeri Hadi Prana)
2018 - Pameran Temporer Museum Basoeki Abdullah “Spirit Potret”.
2018 - Endih Baturan (Pesta Kesenian Bali XL 2018)
2018 - The Dinamic Heritage (Puri Santrian Hotel Sanur)
2019 - Bentara Budaya
2019 - Eling ( Museum Puri Lukisan)
2024 - A Tribute to I Nyoman Ngendon - ARMA Museum & Resort, Ubud

Awards

2000 - Penghargaan dari Bentara Budaya Jakarta
2008 - Jakarta Art Award Nominee
2008 - Penghargaan Lukisan Terbaik dalam Jakarta Award
2011 - UOB (Painting of The Year Competition) Finalis
2011 - Peserta Pameran Seni Rupa PKB XXXIII
2012 - UOB (Painting of The Year Competition) Finalis
2012 - Jakarta Art Award Nominee
2012 - Peserta Pameran Bali di Tampere Art Museum
2014 - Jakarta Art Award Nominee
2014 - UOB (Painting of The Year Competition) Finalis
2015 - Peserta Demo Melukis Sepanjang 1000 meter
2017 - Sebagai Juri Lomba Poster KSPAN SUKSMA
2018 - Temporer Museum Basoeki Abdullah “Spirit Potret”
2018 - Penghargaan Workshop Tata Kelola Seni
2018 - Peserta Pameran Seni Rupa PKB XL
2018 - Sebagai Pembina Lomba Mewarnai Tingkat SD, Menggambar tingkat SMP, dan Melukis Tingkat SMA/SMK
2019 - Peserta Sarasehan dalam rangka Festival Seni Bali Jani
2019 - Peserta Pameran Bali Megarupa
2019 - Peserta Workshop Tata Kelola Festival di Taman Budaya Provinsi Bali
2021 - Peserta Pameran Seni Rupa Kandarupa