Ida Bagus Njana
Remembering Ida Bagus Njana who passed away forty years ago this year: Ida Bagus Njana (1912-1985) was a Balinese sculptor and a pivotal figure in the development of modern Balinese wood carving. Born into a Brahmin family in Mas village near Ubud, he was a descendant of Dang Hyang Nirartha, a revered Javanese-Balinese Hindu saint who fled Java to Bali in the 16th century. His lineage imbued him with a deep-rooted artistic and spiritual heritage. Njana’s father, Ida Bagus Saren, was an Undagi (priest-architect), and decorator who provided his son with a traditional education in Balinese poetry, ancient stories, and architecture. This classical foundation was soon to be influenced by a new wave of artistic thought.
The arrival of Western artists in Bali in the 1930s, such as Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet, marked a significant turning point for Balinese art. Njana and his cousin, Ida Bagus Ketut Gelodog, were among the young artists who became part of the Pita Maha artists’ association. Formed by Balinese Nyoman Lempad, Europeans Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet, and others, this group aimed to expand Balinese art and crafts beyond its primary functions. Njana’s early work, characterised by an elongated, fluid style, became a hallmark of the Mas village carving school.
Over time, Njana’s style evolved. In the 1940s, his carvings shifted to fuller, less decorated forms, and by the 1950s, he had perfected a compact, closed style, often depicting serene, corpulent men and women. This distinctive style paved his reputation as one of Bali’s most influential sculptors. His works often reflected themes of Balinese daily life and Hindu mythology.
His artistry was passed down to his son, Ida Bagus Tilem (1936-1993), who would also become an internationally renowned sculptor. Tilem’s style was more ambiguous and emotionally expressive, often using the natural deformities of wood to create his art.
In 1964, Njana’s and Tilem’s art was showcased at the New York World’s Fair as part of the Indonesian Pavilion. The fair served as an international platform, further boosting the global recognition of Balinese wood carving and solidifying Mas as a global center for the craft. The Njana Tilem Museum, established in Mas, now stands as a testament to the legacy of both father and son, preserving their masterpieces and the rich history of Balinese wood carving for future generations.