Art & Bali’s second edition brought contemporary art, collectors, artists, and creative communities together at Nuanu Creative City in Bali from September 11 to 13. The three-day fair welcomed 10,000 visitors, featured 23 exhibitors, and recorded nearly 300 works sold.
More than 300 artists from Indonesia, Southeast Asia, and beyond were represented, while collectors arrived from Jakarta, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Korea, and India. For Bali’s contemporary art scene, the numbers point to a growing interest in the island as a meeting place for regional and international creative exchange.
“Indonesia has extraordinary artists and makers, but too few places where the world comes to see them,” said Lev Kroll, CEO of Nuanu Creative City. “That’s the gap we want Nuanu to fill, and Art & Bali is how we do it.”
Building Regional Connections
The fair’s reach extended beyond its exhibition halls. Nuanu Future Talks: Fashion & Art brought together 21 speakers from government, art, fashion, design, and business to discuss cultural ownership, new materials, digital art, emerging creative cities, and the contemporary art scene in Indonesia.
The programme opened with a panel featuring Irene Umar, Vice Minister of Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, alongside creative industry leaders. The Tabanan Regency Government also supported the event, highlighting the role of cultural programming in creating opportunities for artists, businesses, and visitors.
Meanwhile, galleries from Indonesia and the region used the fair to connect with new audiences. Kuala Lumpur’s G13 Gallery presented Malaysian and regional artists, while Bali-based Lanö Contemporary Art Gallery brought a locally rooted perspective. Yogyakarta’s Sangkring Art Space also used the event to build connections ahead of its planned Bali opening.
Art Beyond the Fair
While the main fair has ended, two exhibitions continue at Nuanu. What The Body Remembers, curated by Bandana Tewari with assistant curator Brina Paska, remains open at Labyrinth Art Gallery until November 29. The Indonesia–India exhibition features 26 artists, designers, and studios working across contemporary art, fashion, textiles, and craft.
At Block42, Do Not Clean This Room offers another perspective, giving 18 artists temporary studios built from shipping containers. Visitors can see not only finished works but also the research and experimentation behind them.
Looking Ahead
For Art & Bali, the 2026 edition marks another step in building an international platform around Bali’s creative community. The fair will return to Nuanu Creative City for its third edition in September 2027, continuing its exploration of the connections between art, culture, commerce, and community.
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