Built in 1976 under the guidance of WayanSutejaNeka, after whom the Museum is named, the Neka Art Museum is both an art gallery as well as a museum. Located in Kedewatan, it is in close proximity to many Balinese resorts including those of COMO Hotels & Resorts. A trip to Neka Art Museum will leave you travelling back in time to days of glorious sculpting, and enlighten you regarding the historical events and resulting development in the nation of Bali.
There are six distinct buildings at the Museum, each housing a different element: building one is home to Balinese paintings, and has four sections, each with a different influence on the style of painting; building two, known as ArieSmit pavilion, is dedicated to the work of ArieSmit who is much admired by the founder Neka; photographs are found in building three, especially black and white photographs dating as early as the 1930s taken by one of the first expats in Bali; exhibiting sculptors that depict Balinese village life and legends, building four is named Lempad pavilion, as is a shrine to the works of GustiNyomanLempad, the Balinese architect, and sculptor; fifth and sixth buildings are dedicated to contemporary works of art where the former focuses on Indonesian Artists and the latter on Western influences. In addition to the six buildings, the owner Neka has his keris dagger collection at a separate pavilion and would be only too happy to talk to the visitors about it.
The Neka Art Museum in Bali is a great place to spend a relaxing day. There are beautiful tropical gardens to stroll in, a refreshment parlour for a snack and a coffee, and ample exposure to culture to keep your mind enthralled. Couple this with a visit to a Bali Spa Resort and you would have had a relaxed, content day that soothes mind and soul.
Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+
