Mangu Putra

(b. 1963, Sangeh, Bali, Indonesia) 

Since the beginning of his artistic career, Mangu Putra has made a significant impact on the Indonesian art scene, exhibiting extensively across the country. A graphic designer before transitioning into a full-time painter in 1998, Putra’s works reveal a keen sensitivity to visual forms, marked by precision and an acute awareness of composition.

Rather than adhering to a singular style, Putra fluidly navigates between abstraction, figuration, and hyperrealism, producing a body of work that is both diverse and cohesive. His practice spans a broad spectrum—from nearly photographic depictions of dynamic scenes to hyperrealistic renderings of trees that verge on abstraction. While some of his works appear true-to-life, they often possess an artificial, idealised quality, reflecting a world not as it naturally exists, but as it is shaped and influenced by human perception and societal constructs.

Putra’s subjects frequently centre on nature—wilderness, fish, mountains, and forests—imbued with a sense of reverence and mysticism. In interviews, he has described nature as the unifying thread in his practice, with his goal being to capture and translate its essence into a distinct visual language. His paintings do not merely depict nature; rather, they seek to reveal its underlying spirit, presenting an enchanted reality that transcends conventional representations.

Born in Sangeh, Central Bali, in 1963, Putra studied at the prestigious Institut Seni Indonesia (The Indonesia Institute of the Arts) in Yogyakarta, majoring in Design and Visual Communications. After working as a graphic designer for over a decade, he shifted his focus to fine art in 1997. His work has been showcased in solo and group exhibitions in Indonesia and internationally, including in Singapore, China, South Korea, and Australia.

Putra currently lives and works in Bali, Indonesia.