File:Agung Rai Museum of Art, Ubud, Bali.JPG
User: (WT-shared) Shoestring at wts wikivoyage, Agung Rai Museum of Art, Ubud, Bali, CC BY-SA 1.0

Bali and Indonesia is a very unique nation that has a rich and colourful history. There have been instances of human habitation in Indonesia as far back as 35,000 years ago, due to the discovery of the ‘Java Man’ fossils. The nation’s culture has changed and grown a great deal since then and is born out of an intensely diverse range of influences. As a result of this, their various forms of cultural art is breath-taking. One of the best places to experience the many forms of Indonesian art is ARMA, which stands for the Agung Rai Museum of Art.

The museum is situated in Bali, one of the world’s most popular tourism destinations with much luxury accommodation such as a Bali Beach Resort Uluwatu has to offer along the likes of the Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort.

ARMA was founded by its namesake, Agung Rai, who was a Balinese individual passionate about Balinese art, especially when it regards its preservation and development. The museum was opened in 1996, by the Minister of Education and Culture.

A great portion of the work featured at the museum was contributed by the personal collections of Agung Rai and his wife. The diverse range of art featured in the museum encompasses traditional and contemporary, with latter examples including paintings carried out on tree bark.

In addition to the work of renowned local artists such as Gusti Nyoman Lempad, the museum also features international works from artists who have travelled to Indonesia from far away countries. The museum has a special collection to showcase the works of the German painter Walter Spies.

ARMA is more than a museum for the most part, it functions as a centre for visual and performing arts where visitors can enjoy exhibitions and performances ranging from musical to theatrical and observe an astonishing selection of visual art. It is truly an essential experience if you find yourself in Bali.

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+