blue of karja

09 April - 25 May 2004

Gaya Fusion of Senses Gallery, Ubud, Bali

“Why should I worry about the parching sun? I create the blue spring within myself.” (Juan Ramon Jiminez)

Based on my “Pengider Bhuwana: The Color of Life” previous body of artwork on the Mandala circle, I ‘m moving on to paint in a series of colors. I have been using red, yellow and orange as major colors in my painting in contrast to the colors of nature, the dominant green and blue that surround my studio.

I wanted my space to look warm by using red, orange and yellow. All of the sudden, I had the feeling that red is very attractive, but also aggressive. I could not sleep for a night…but why? I felt a thirst inside, longing for charm, peace and silence within myself, and would like to share these experiences with others through my artwork.

My heart was drawn by blue, my head thinking a lot about the blue ocean, the blue sky and mountains, and the meeting point of the blue tones on the horizon. Blue is the color that came out of my paint brush.

My Blue is based on my dreams, imagination and experiences traveling the world. I want to see and imagine blue not only from one island to others, but across the whole planet and throughout the universe.

It began more then twenty years ago, when I sat on the beach or in rice fields looking at the horizon. Questions arose. What is beyond the horizon? What is above the blue sky? Where are the white people from? Since I was teenager, I had dreamed of traveling toward the horizon, to see the countries of all the visitors in Bali. Yes, I did. My first flight was in 1986, to other islands in Indonesia, and then in 1994 to Europe. I have traveled every year since then.

Traveling has answered my questions. Above and beyond this horizon is another horizon, above the blue sky is another blue sky. This planet is dominated by blue. To think about blue for me is to think about wholeness, fullness, circle, loops, space without limit, as far as I can imagine, the universe. Blue sky and ocean, mountain and lake accompany me everywhere I go. I feel not alone, look to the sky, look to the water, feel the breeze….these are my partners everywhere I stay.

Like everything, blue also has a negative shadow. Blue can make me feel lost, alone, depressed. I need to be aware to turn it into a warmer and more positive direction to maintain a balance.

Wherever I go, whatever I do, as a Balinese man I imagine blue as northeast (the most holy direction in Balinese cosmology), mountain (Mount Agung, the highest spot on the island), sky, ocean (imagine the deepest ocean), lake (the goddess Devi Danu), Vhisnu, Rama, Khrisna, blueblood, depth, stability, peacefulness, tranquility, calm, trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, knowledge, truth, cleanliness (water purification filters), mineral water, consciousness, power, integrity, seriousness, and heaven.

These all make me want to go within, to find the most profound and incredible simplicity and silence. Blue is amazing to me, my guide to meet my Self.

Ubud, Bali, April 2004

I Wayan Karja