Bali has a thriving art scene. From galleries displaying priceless cultural artworks from centuries past, through to up-and-coming galleries showcasing work from local and international artists.
There is a creative energy that permeates all aspects of daily life here on the island, which is just one of the reasons why more than 7 million international tourists visit every year.
This week, Bali is celebrating the opening of Wija Reksa Quoriena (WRQ) Art Hub & Residency in Banjar Kulibul Kawan, Tibubeneng Village, aka Canggu.
The art hub was founded by Daniel Ginting and Quoriena Ginting as part of the Ginting Institute. The Wija Reksa Quoriena (WRQ) Art Hub & Residency has opened with a groundbreaking art exhibition that focuses on sustainability, creativity, and culture.
The Wija Reksa Quoriena (WRQ) Art Hub & Residency has been founded by the Ginting Institute, a collaborative platform for artists, cultural figures, thought leaders, and the general public. Speaking to reporters at the grand opening, the founder of the Ginting Institute, Daniel Ginting, shared his view that art shouldn’t just be displayed in exhibition spaces. It is his belief that art should be present in all aspects of society to help open up dialogue and drive social change.
He explained, “Art should open conversations, build empathy, and inspire action. Therefore, we want this space to be a meeting place for creative ideas that benefit society.”
Quoriena Ginting’s work and vision echo these sentiments. As a collector of Indonesian textiles, she believes that environmental-themed artworks are actually a wake-up call for the public to be more concerned about the condition of the earth. Issues that are very present in Bali and are evident to both residents and tourists.
She shared,”Environmental art isn’t just about visual beauty, but also a call to awareness and action.”
The exhibition features work from local elementary school students who live all across the Canggu area. Ahead of the exhibition, the students participated in a plasticology workshop with local artist Made Bayak, who taught them how to utilize plastic waste to create artwork.
The exhibition also features works by more than 20 artists across disciplines, and includes paintings and cartoon storytelling through to installations and photography. The artists involved include Made Bayak, Andry Boy Kurniawan, Jango Pramartha, Ida Bagus Surya Dharma, Chuk Handono, Pinky Sinanta, Putu Dian Ujiana “Beluluk,” and photographers Andang Iskandar and Tjandra Hutama.
Speaking to reporters, exhibition curator Yudha Bantono explained that the Tibubeneng Sustainable Art Exhibition has been designed as a space for creative dialogue between artists, children, villagers, and broader stakeholders.
Through utilizing environmentally friendly mediums in creating the artwork and recycled materials, the exhibition aims to demonstrate that art can be a medium for social and environmental transformation.
Bantono shared, “This exhibition showcases how art can contribute to building awareness while offering solutions to the environmental challenges we face together.”
In a separate curator’s statement, Bantono shared, “A village is much more than a mere geographical landmark. It is more than a living space where the history, events, and collective identity of a community grow, are nurtured, and passed down from generation to generation. Like other regions undergoing modernization, Tibubeneng Village is faced with a range of complex social and environmental challenges.”
Adding “However, despite these challenges, Tibubeneng holds great potential to become the centre of an environmental awareness movement that may turn out to have a significant impact on the future of the village.”
“Tibubeneng Sustainable Art is an awareness-raising art event initiated by the Ginting Institute in collaboration with Tibubeneng Village. Combining environmental education approaches and sustainable art practices, the project operates through two main pillars.”
The exhibition also got the thumbs up of approval from the Head of Tibubeneng Village, I Made Kamajaya, who welcomed the exhibition. He highlighted how collaborations between the artists and the local community are crucial in strengthening Canggu’s efforts to address waste issues sustainably.
The Tibubeneng Sustainable Art Exhibition is open to the public until 30th June 2026, so there is plenty of time to arrange a visit to the Wija Reksa Quoriena Art Hub & Residency, Tibubeneng Village in Canggu.
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