background & resume

Wayan Karja was born in Penestanan Kaja, Ubud, Bali in 1965. His interest in art began at a young age and he was already painting in oils at the age of 10. His father, I Ketut Santra, taught him the Penestanan 'Young Artist' style of painting and later he learned the traditional Ubud style from I Ketut Sujana.

art education

Wayan Karja graduated in 1985 from the High School of Fine Art in Denpasar where he learned to paint in the neo-traditional “Ubud Style.” He then studied for his Doctors Degree in Art History at the Department of Fine Art and Design at Udayana University in Denpasar until 1990. In 1999 Karja received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of South Florida.

1997 - 1999

Studied painting and printmaking at the University of South Florida, USA

1985 - 1990

Studied art history at Udayana University, Denpasar, Bali

1981 - 1985

Studied painting at the Indonesian Arts School, Denpasar, Bali

1978 - 1981

Studied traditional painting Ubud style from I Ketut Sujana

1975 - 1978

Studied 'young artist' painting style from his father, I Ketut Santra

Around the same time, he built and opened the Santra Putra, Art Studio, Gallery and Guest House in the rice fields of Penestanan Kaja, west of Ubud. Here he continues to paint and exhibit his work, inspired by the nature that surrounds him. Both a landscape and figurative painter, his subject matter often includes rice fields, gardens, temples, seascapes, or dancers.

teaching experience

Upon graduating from the University in 1990, Karja began teaching Art and Art Appreciation at the High School for the Fine Art in Ubud and at The Indonesian College of Art (STSI) in Denpasar.

2004 - present

Dean of the Faculty of Visual Arts and Design at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI), Denpasar Bali

2002 - 2004

Head of Visual Arts Department at the the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI), Denpasar Bali

2001 - 2004

Teaching and Teacher Training at IKIP PGRI Bali (Fine Arts)

1993 - present

Teaching at the the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI), Denpasar, Bali

1997 - 1999

Taught at the University of South Florida (USF), Tampa, Florida, USA

1990 - 1996

Taught at School of Fine Arts, Ubud, Bali

life experience

From 1997 – 1999 Karja spent 2 years studying and teaching in the USA at the University of South Florida. He has traveled extensively in Europe and Australia exhibiting his work and teaching workshops.

1997 - 1999

Lived in the USA with his family: visited Maine, New York, Massachusetts, Colorado, Utah, Santa Fe, and California

1994, 1996, 1997, 2000 & 2002

Travel extensively in Europe visiting Switzerland, France, Germany, Holland, and Belgium

1995

Visited art museums and universities and conducted art shows and lectures in the USA - Los Angeles, Tampa, Raleigh, Washington D.C., Boston and NY

1996

Participated in the workshop of restoration of paintings, arranged by the Goethe Institute, Germany with the Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, at ARMA, Bali

1989

With his family built The Sandra Putra: Art Studio and Guest House

scholarships and awards

1999

Mudge Fellowship, artist in residence, Groton School, Massachusetts, USA

1998

"Diversity Awards" Great Mother and The New Father, Maine, USA

1997

Excellence Faculty Awards, ISI Denpasar, Bali

1997

Grant for Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree, USF, Florida, USA