The Unique Palette of I Wayan Kaler
I Wayan Kaler is a talented painter from Sayan Baung village in Ubud, Bali. Born in 1965, he grew up surrounded by many people who loved painting, especially his older brother who taught him how to paint in a special style called Young Artist. This style was really famous back in the 1960s, and lots of kids from Sayan Baung village learned to paint that way too. Since then, painting has become a big part of their village’s life.
When I Wayan Kaler was just 10 years old, he started selling his paintings to help pay for school and other things he needed. By the time he was 17, he was painting his favorite things, like the beautiful nature and traditions of Bali. He made his own unique style that people still know him for today. He wants to keep getting better and coming up with new ideas, all while keeping true to his Balinese roots.
Around the year 2000, many artists in Bali stopped painting to work in the hospitality industry, which worried I Wayan Kaler. To keep painting alive and growing, he created an art community called “Sanggar Seni Pelangi.” This community brings artists together to show their paintings and share their art with more people. I Wayan Kaler is known for his detailed paintings, especially of Bali’s rice paddies, which tell stories about Balinese life and traditions. For him, it’s really important to keep learning and making new things to keep his imagination alive and growing.