The Balinese Soul of the Neka Art Museum

A polyphonic treasure trove of multiple voices, where works by artists of various nationalities act as sources of inspiration for throngs of Indonesian visitors, but not only. Welcome to the Neka Art Museum, a universe in which the cult of Balinese beauty, life and culture is right at home. A jewel of Ubud, this precious microcosm of traditional and modern painting in the Bali of the past and the present is an example of cultural conservation and an artistic endeavour that all of Indonesia and the world can admire. It was founded in 1982 by Balinese art merchant Pande Wayan Suteja Neka, better known as Suteja Neka. In 1960, his father was awarded the title of best engraver in the province of Bali. Suteja Neka began to collect high quality paintings thanks to his tight friendship with Dutch artists Rudolf Bonnet and Arie Smith. In 1975, Neka and Bonnet went to Europe to visit museums and galleries with the aim of creating a fine arts museum in Bali. After years of planning, the Neka Art Museum was officially inaugurated on July 7, 1982. Today, visitors can enjoy a rich introduction to the history of the principal styles of Balinese painting, as well as contemporary works by Balinese and international artists.