The Best Public Art to Enjoy in Bali
Bali’s rich cultural and spiritual values translate well into the arts, including those that tourists can enjoy in public places for free. From ancient epoch-inspired statues to contemporary murals and graffiti, explore the best public art in Bali.
1. The Statue of Titi Banda
Bridge
2. The Sakah Giant Baby
Built in 1989, the giant baby statue is relatively new. However, it quickly gained significance for the stories and mysteries surrounding it. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, nobody knew how, why or who had put the gigantic figure on Sakah Street. Now, it is known that a former regent constructed it, and it is the depiction of Sang Hyang Brahma Lelare, one of the main deities of Balinese Hinduism, in his infant form. Many believe that the statue is haunted, as some locals have testified seeing it crying in the middle of the night during full moon. Regardless, the Sang Hyang Brahma Lelare statue is a sacred space, often hosting daily prayers or religious rituals.
The Sakah Baby Statue, Jalan Raya Sakah, Batuan Kaler, Gianyar
3. Murals in Canggu
Murals are dotted around many popular spots in Bali, but Canggu is arguably the street art capital of the island. While murals and graffiti are often seen as vandalism, locals and tourists in Canggu have begun to embrace them as an enjoyable form of art. It’s not hard to find captivating murals in Canggu, as many residents don’t mind — and have even requested that — their walls be painted by artists. The artistic vibe in Canggu is throbbing with international-scale events and occasional visits from foreign street artists, nurturing more and more fascinating works in the vibrant area.
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4. The Hard Rock Guitar
The gigantic double-neck guitar just outside Hard Rock Café Bali has become an icon in the area, with tourists lining up to take photos. Located just opposite the famous Kuta beach, the towering instrument was built as a tribute to a local guitarist known as Balawan, regarded as one of the fastest guitarists in Indonesia and one of a handful of double-neck guitar virtuosos in Asia. Not just an impressive and gigantic figure, the statue was built to represent Bali’s local icons, reflected by the checkered pattern and curve resembling the entrance to Hindu temples seen throughout the island.
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5. Satria Gatotkaca Statue
As a heroic figure in the Mahabharata Hindu epic, Gatotkaca is portrayed with nothing less than a dashing statue in a manly pose, riding his chariot with six horses into battle. Located near the airport, this statue is a thoughtful greeting to tourists because Gatotkaca is known as a protecting knight, bestowing security and safety to everyone visiting and leaving the island. The area surrounding the statue is lively in the evening, when locals often gather to relax and enjoy food and snacks sold by street food vendors.
Patung Satria Gatotkaca, Jalan Raya Tuban No.1, Tuban, Kuta
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6. Catur Muka Statue
Representing Brahma, the Hindu God of creation, the Catur Muka Statue has aesthetic, cultural and spiritual value. The nine-metre tall statue has four faces, each facing one of the four points of the compass. The four faces exemplify Brahma’s infinite power throughout the universe. Brahma is depicted standing on a lotus, symbolising the universe and holiness. The Catur Muka Statue is also a venue for many festivals and religious activities.
Patung Catur Muka, Dangin Puri Kauh, North Denpasar, Denpasar
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7. Bali Bombing Memorial
Memorial
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