Senior photographer and regular Bali & Beyond photo contributor Ida Bagus Putra (Gustra) Adnyana exhibits his shots with the subjects of a number of artists and popular Balinese figures. The exhibition is held through this month at the Griya Santrian in Sanur. The seven figures featured in his photographic work include Made Budiana, Nyoman Mandra, Made Wianta, Nyoman Gunarsa, D Tjandra Kirana, Ketut Liyer and Ni Nyoman Sani. "Face Landscapes" exposes the activities of the subjects in their daily lives; including when they ponder on their next artistic endeavor such as is depicted through the snapshot of the classical Kamasan style painter, Nyoman Mandra.

In the 28 frames, all subjects depict their own expressions and daily activities. Viewers may perceive the many faces that become objects and landscapes that can be further explored. "I am obsessed with capturing figures and community leaders who have contributed to the development of Bali," expressed Gustra.
For further information, contact the photographer himself at +62 081-238-021-76.

100 Sunset Boutique Hotel presents its first shell exhibition through September. M. Stephen, an architect from Surabaya has just fulfilled his dream - to have the first shell museum in Indonesia. This devoted piano player, artist, classical music fan and ardent nature lover collected shells from his years in junior high school, 25 years ago. His vision is to share the sea splendors that people tend to take for granted, reminding us of what treasures are ruined through pollution. Discover these sea splendors at the 100 Sunset Boutique Hotel through September 15.

100 Sunset Boutique Hotel
Jl. Sunset Road no. 100, Kuta (0361) 8477-360
www.100sunset.com

Ombak Bali, Southeast Asia's one and only surf film festival, will drop in on Kuta again from July 21-24 for its 3rd edition, celebrating the best new surf films from around the globe. Ombak Bali will take place at the seaside square of the Discovery Mall in Kuta. All screenings and music performances are free. For a complete line-up check out the website for updates. Ombak Bali is a platform where national and international surf film makers can expose their films to an interested public. Ombak Bali also aims to help awareness concerning environmental and social issues by screening inspiring surf films. This year also features a free surf photo contest which will be on exhibit at the 4-day venue.

www.ombakbali.com

Ganesha Gallery at the Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay features "Essentials," an exhibition by the Galang Kangin Group, held from July 1 to August 2. As with elsewhere in the world, artists associations, groups and movements, however temporary, have long played a dynamic role in the history of modern art. One of the most important in recent Balinese history is that of the Galang Kangin (Bright East) Group. Founded in 1996 by 9 young artists, this group burst on the scene with a critically acclaimed exhibition that same year to celebrate the opening of Bali's own art academy (ISI). Although their styles varied greatly from figurative to abstract, all members shared the principle that the essential elements of good art that bound them were color, composition and balance.

Ganesha Gallery
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay
(0361) 701-010; www.fourseasons.com/jimbaranbay

Biasa ArtSpace in collaboration with Art Printing House 2RC Edizioni d'Arte presents its latest exhibition of Enzo Cucchi, Eight Graphic Works, through July 10. The show will feature works by acclaimed Italian artist Enzo Cucchi. Painter, draughtsman and sculptor, Enzo Cucchi was born in Morro d'Alba in 1949. At first a conceptual artist, Cucchi soon adopted a figurative expression and established a highly symbolic iconography, generating alternative spaces through unpredictable materials and forms such as waves, flames, skulls and roosters. Cucchi started his artistic career in the seventies as a member of the Italian movement 'Transavanguardia', together with Francesco Clemente, Nicola De Maria, Sandro Chia and Mimmo Paladino. The movement was undisputedly recognized by the international scene, thanks to art critic and curator Achille Bonito Oliva who sealed the movement within the Conceptual and Post Modern trends that characterized the Western Post World War II Avant-gardes.

Biasa ArtSpace
Jl. Raya Seminyak No. 34, Kuta
www.biasaart.com

An exhibition of flower paintings and pastels by Nyoman Wirdana and Kerry Pendergrast is being held at Pranoto's Art Gallery through July 30. The flower has been a symbol of romance and beauty, inspiring poets and artists for centuries. For Nyoman Wirdana, flowers have been the main inspiration for his work. He sketches flowers from life and then creates abstract shapes, seeking to represent the monumental value of the object on his canvases. This he combines with skillful application of paint layers and variations of color and tone. Kerry Pendergrast mainly concentrated on subjects of models and landscapes in pastel until she joined a unique project of adding edible flowers on a menu, with an exhibition of flower pastels at the Maya Ubud Resort in 2003. This led to an ongoing interest in flowers.

These two very different approaches provide a contrast that will highlight the power of the flower.

Pranoto's Art Gallery, Ubud
(0361) 970-827; www.age.jp/~pranoto