Balinese arts and crafts

Why the arts and crafts of Bali are special
On a per capita basis, Bali probably has the most accomplished artists & craftsmen in the world. To the Balinese, personal artistic achievement is part of the religious experience

Balinese painting
Ignored
For centuries, the international art world paid little heed to the talented Balinese painters, who focused on traditional motifs geared for Bali's temples and religious ceremonies.

Evolution
Then, in the late 1920s several expatriate European artists (including the now renowned Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet) successfully taught and encouraged some Balinese artists to become more modern and daring by capturing scenes of everyday Bali life and landscapes. Today, this work is globally recognized as fine art.

Ubud
Bali's painting capital is Ubud village, followed by the villages of Batuan and Samasan. The first is more eclectic and contemporary in style while the latter two specialize in Bali's traditional Wayan style. 

Neka Museum
The best way to introduce yourself to Balinese paintings is by visiting the Neka Museum and other leading art institutions (click the "runners-up" link for their capsule descriptions).

Wood sculpture, stone sculpture, jewelry, and batiks
Wood sculpture - in Mas
This village is clearly Bali's wood carving center. Its artists create refined Balinese sculptures depicting Hindu-epic Ramayana characters, ordinary people and various animals (the Njana Tilem Gallery is generally regarded as Bali's finest artistic producer). Mas is also unrivaled in carving the colorful Balinese wood masks (see photo) worn by classical dancers.

Stone sculpture - in Batubulan
This village is Bali's stone-carving heart. Most works are of deities and other Balinese temple themed objects. Many artisans also cater to tourists by sculpting everyday Balinese subjects, real and whimsical.

Gold and silver jewelry - Celuk
This village (near Batubulan) is Bali's gold- and silver-smithing epicenter. Intricate earrings, necklaces, bracelets and brooches are popular items with Bali tourists.

Batik - Where made
A batik is a fabric richly decorated using a special dyeing technique. Many are used as sarongs. Although virtually all the "Bali batik sarongs" sold to the tourists and Balinese are made in Java,

Bali does produce in small quantities some exceptionally fine hand-made including the rare double itak from the walled village of Tenganan (near Candi Dasa). A single cloth can take years to finish.

Kites
Unusual forms
Balinese design and construct colorful kites in unusual forms such as mythical birds and four-masted ships (yes, they fly). Some Balinese kites are as big and wide as a car.

Other Balinese artistic endeavors
They include
The making of ceramics, furniture and shadow puppets.

Observing artists and craftsman
Studios, galleries and factories
Many of them openly invite tourists to view their Balinese artisans in action - and to browse the displayed finished goods with no obligation to buy.