Neka Art Museum

Ubud, located in an inland district of Bali, Indonesia, is known as an art village. At first, it was a settlingground for artists who immigrated from India to Bali during the 16th century along with members of Hindu royalty. From the 1920s, while under Dutch colonial rule, Ubud became a gathering place for European artists, which laid the foundation for the famous center of arts and culture that it is today.

From palace to marketplace

Ubud Palace is a venue for many performances of traditional Balinese dance, such as legong and barong, as well as a cultural space for other art forms that are native to Bali. Just across the street from the palace is the Ubud Art Market. Originally a regular local market that sold daily necessities, the market later began to specialize in souvenirs and artworks due to the increasing number of tourists. The fascinating items sold in the shops that line the narrow alleys make the market Ubud’s most sought-after attraction. Tourists can purchase, among other things, tropic fruits, Asian handicrafts, and batik goods (traditionally dyed fabrics).

Jalan-jalan (Indonesian that means “to take a walk”)

The street that leads from Ubud Palace to the Monkey Forest is full of sights to see that are well worth your time—most notably, its many small-scale museums and art galleries. It is where not only local artists but also artists from other countries live and work. If you are lucky, you may even be able to watch an artist at work. The range of art that greets the tourist’s eye is truly far-reaching, from paintings of Bali’s temples, history, or nature and animals to works of abstract art. There are also many small workshops that make wooden and silver handicrafts.

Ubud-style art

Neka Art Museum, on the outskirts of Ubud, is one of Bali’s most prominent art museums. Its seven exhibition spaces are constructed in traditional architectural formats and offer a sweeping view of how Balinese art has evolved, from classical paintings to the most recent works of contemporary artists.

Handicrafts on the streets of Ubud                                                          Rattan lamp crafts in Ubud