August 5, 2024 – Tegallalang, Bali
For several years now, ever since discovering the vibrant and mesmerising prints of Indonesian printmaker Agugn on Instagram, I have dreamed of meeting him and his wife Puti who is also a talented artist, specialising in ceramics. On arriving at Arta Derau, I was welcomed into the entrance of the building that has been cleverly designed to accommodate the free flow of air and light in the space. Water runs through the stylish interior, referencing the traditional Balinese irrigation system used to irrigate the rice fields that surround the building. It is also a nod to the Indonesian tradition where water is freely available to everyone and the local philosophy that nobody can own water. Although concrete and steel make up the majority of the building materials, there is a peaceful atmosphere evoked by the presence of water and natural light flowing through the space.
Upstairs is a gallery, which also is open, yet feels surprisingly protected from the elements. At the back of the main entrance on one side are the studios – three for ceramics and one for printmaking. On the other side are three separate spaces to accommodate artists in residence, overlooking the neighbouring rice fields.
Also located at the entrance is an old letterpress machine, lovingly restored by Puti, a business she had as a side hustle to support her arts practice when she had finished University. It had been their first press and used to live in their kitchen. They then showed me the book press and etching press which had both been custom made and brought with them from Bandung in West Java where they had met while attended University. In March 2024 they acquired a Risograph machine which they plan to use for several projects including a collaboration with several Indonesian artists for an upcoming art fair.
Puti has been the driving force behind the business ventures relating to the couple’s creative practice. Agugn acknowledges the valuable input she has made into guiding his trajectory, marketing, sales and even scale that he works in. Early on she encouraging Agugn to make larger work by making a grid from each of his smaller plates. At a micro level each square is a work in itself, and when you zoom out the work is a complete cosmos at a macro level.
Puti has been happy to take the helm of the ship, so to speak, as she believes artists need to be supported and work as a team. Her role as business manager helps to draw the line between art and business, allowing the work to exist in its own right without being corrupted by thinking about the business side during the making.
Luckily, securing a contract for a big project just before the pandemic and with sales moving online, allowed Puti to expand her team of assistants to help her with running the studio business. She currently has a staff of fifteen to help with production, marketing, packaging, shipping, admin as well as three staff to assist with printmaking duties.
While they are still settling into their new space and waiting for construction to be completed, their residency programme has been by invitation only, extended to friends in their artistic community. Once fully settled, they plan to collaborate with galleries who can place artists there for residencies. Artists from outside of Bali can email proposals through, detailing the project they wish to complete. I personally plan to be back one day soon!
Email: derrrau@gmail.com
IG: @artaderau
Ina Arraoui 