I Nyoman Sukari

(b. 1968, Karangasem, Bali – d. 2010, Denpasar, Bali)

I Nyoman Sukari (1968–2010) was a revered Balinese artist whose practice wove together the mystical depth of tradition with a bold, expressive force. His artistic foundations were laid at Sekolah Menengah Seni Rupa in Denpasar (1987–1990), before he pursued higher studies at the Faculty of Fine Arts, ISI Yogyakarta (1990–1996)—a formative period that shaped his singular voice.

Sukari was widely recognised for his evocative figurative paintings, which frequently drew upon iconic mythological figures such as barong, leak, and rangda. Executed in deep, brooding oil tones and animated by powerful brushstrokes, his canvases conjured atmospheres both visceral and otherworldly. His command of contrasting colours and dramatic compositions revealed the dualities at the heart of Balinese cosmology: beauty entwined with darkness, the sacred interlaced with the ominous. Reflecting on his creative process, Sukari declared: “I let my imagination run wild! If what I experience enters my subconscious, causing interaction, it’s a sign that the creative process is worth starting.” This philosophy underscored his belief in the transformative power of subconscious inspiration.

Sukari rose to prominence during the wave of Balinese abstract expressionism in the 1990s. He was a pivotal member of Spirit 90, a legendary collective of ISI Yogyakarta students whose 1994 exhibition in Yogyakarta sold out on its opening night—a rare feat that confirmed their place within Indonesia’s rapidly evolving art scene. Beyond Spirit 90, Sukari played influential roles in Sanggar Dewata Indonesia and Komunitas Lempuyang, cementing his reputation as both an artist and a cultural force. His first solo exhibition, Truth & Tradition, was presented at Gajah Gallery Singapore in 2002, a landmark moment that gave dedicated visibility to his unique vision.