The town of Ubud boasts an exciting array of cultural institutions, art galleries and museums, making it one of the most culturally significant areas of Indonesia. The Neka Gallery, an interesting landmark boasting fine art and handicrafts, should not be confused with the Neka Art Museum, a totally different establishment altogether.
The gallery opened in the mid-1960’s as a small entity portraying a limited selection of local artwork. Today, it boasts collections of paintings from all over Bali and Indonesia, not to mention an impressive selection of pieces from western expatriates who live in the island, such as the remarkably talented Arie Smit.
The gallery is located right in the heart of Ubud, along the main roadway, Jalan Raya. The curator of the gallery, Suteja Neka, was inspired to begin the museum decades ago after traveling through several parts of the world and witnessing many incredible art galleries and museums on his journey. Mr Suteja’s collecting and traveling experiences led to the development and growth of today’s Neka Gallery.
Many of the paintings exhibited in the gallery are inspired by the Balinese nature, culture and peoples. Although the Neka Art Museum, situated within walking distance of the Neka Gallery, is a much more renowned landmark, Neka Gallery certainly holds its own when it comes to visitor numbers and its integral standing within Ubud.
Need to Know
- What is it? an art gallery exhibiting artwork from across Bali, Indonesia and Southeast Asia
- Opening hours: 09:00 to 17:00, daily
- Entrance fees: RP3,000
- Where: in the center of Ubud, along the main road, Jalan Raya
- How to get there: whether traveling from Denpasar or from within Ubud, taxis are the easiest mode of transportation available